Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A Review of Neurodevelopmental Findings and Interventions

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term that describes a range of neuropsychological and behavioral deficits resulting from prenatal exposure to alcohol. The dysfunctions that emerge from alcohol exposure during gestation are irreversible and, largely preventable. As such, there is an imperative need to understand the underlying features of the disorder in order to inform preventative measures, early diagnosis, and treatment. This paper provides a comprehensive review of literature investigating the neuropsychological, behavioral, and neurobiological features of FASD. Research on treatment and interventions for FASD is appraised in terms of its limitations and recommendations for future research are proposed.