Grant: Doctoral Research Award - PA: RPP - Newfoundland and Labrador

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol. It is the leading cause of developmental disabilities and birth defects in the Western world. Individuals with FASD live with lifelong challenges such as learning disabilities, impulsive behaviours, hyperactivity, and poor social skills. In Canada, people with FASD are over-represented in the foster care system and are often repeat offenders in the correctional system. There is also an unusually high percentage of children and youth diagnosed with FASD in Aboriginal communities. This research will address issues of social justice and power distribution, by focusing on peoples' everyday lives in two Aboriginal communities to understand how institutional policy, procedures and programs affect them. Similarly, this research will analyze how FASD diagnoses and behaviours influence beliefs, opinions, policies and interventions by families, community and support systems. Interviews will be conducted with family members, community members and leaders, as well as professionals and decision-makers from the health, education, child welfare and corrections systems. Policies and other written documents that inform how individuals, communities and institutions respond to FASD will also be examined. Findings will highlight successes and identify gaps in effective support, intervention, and prevention in the field of FASD.