Virginia Early Intervention
Professional Development Center

Virginia Specific Information

America’s Opioid Crisis: The Unseen Impact on Virginia Children
American Academy of Pediatrics

This infographic fact sheet provides state specific information about the growing opioid crisis and its effects on children.

Articles

Cognitive Changes May Be Only Sign of Fetal Alcohol Exposure (external website)
Press Release | National Institutes of Health - July 23, 2012

According to a study by researchers at the National Institutes of Health and researchers in Chile, most children exposed to high levels of alcohol in the womb do not develop the distinct facial features seen in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), but instead show signs of language delays, hyperactivity, attention deficits or intellectual delays. Check out this NIH press release for more information.

Ross, E., Graham, D. L., Money, K. M., Stanwood, G. D. (2015). Developmental consequences of fetal exposure to drugs: What we know and what we still must learn. Neuropsychopharmacology, 40(1), 61-87.

In this review, the authors describe current knowledge on how alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamine, Ecstasy, and opiates (among other drugs) produce alterations in neurodevelopmental trajectory.

eLearning, Presentations, and Webinars

eLearning

Early Intervention: Impact of Perinatal Substance Use on Infants (external website)
Early Impact Virginia

This module teaches family support professionals and other service providers how a pregnant mother's use of commonly abused substances can impact her fetus, and the signs, symptoms and effects of withdrawal, neonatal abstinence syndrome and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders on an infant and growing child. It prepares service providers to recognize pregnant mothers and infants at risk for SEI issues, develop a plan for referral, and support families in providing an optimal environment for their substance-exposed infants.

Substance Use: Risks and Effects in Pregnancy and Early Childhood Development (external website)
Early Impact Virginia

This module describes the disease model of addiction and the impact of substance use and addiction have on women and their unborn babies, infants and children. Participants will learn about the family support professional role in identifying possible substance use, making referrals and helping clients overcome barriers to treatment. The module includes a video about Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and soothing techniques family support professionals can teach their clients. Finally, the module discusses important substance use legislation that all family support professionals must know.

Presentations

The Problem of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (external website)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

This presentation defines neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), symptoms, associated drug exposure, terminology, incidence, prevention, and other public health issues.

Webinars

Family-Centered Care and the Substance Exposed Infant – Parts I and II
VA’s Integrated Training Collaborative | Partnership for People with Disabilities
Presented by Kelly Walsh-Hill and Sharlene Stowers

Babies born in Virginia that are substance exposed have placed a new demand on Newborn Nurseries, NICUs, Social Services and Early Intervention. The unique characteristics of substance use and potential dependency in the pregnant mother requires a unique method of service delivery. Substance exposed infants are more likely to have language impairments, poor memory, and are at risk for further disruptive behavioral disorders. Early Intervention can be a catalyst for change that supports better outcomes. This webinar series addresses facts, myths, and skills needed to support family-centered care.

Tools

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Screen (Birth-3)
Institute for Health and Recovery

This one page screening tool may be used to help identify children who may be at risk for FASD and in need of referrals for intervention.

Learning Bytes about Substance Exposure

Learning bytes are brief learning activities that supervisors, faculty, or other leaders can use to facilitate professional development with staff and students. These activities are designed to be of short duration and include instructions, handouts, links, worksheets and answer keys (as needed) to help you facilitate the activity with small or large groups. The learning bytes below focus on topics related to supporting families of young children with substance exposure. Visit the Learning Bytes page to review or download the learning bytes or look for additional activities.

• Opioids and Substance Exposed Infants
• Virginia Facts: The Opioid Crisis and Substance Exposed Infants

Videos

N/A

Websites and Programs

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) (external website)
March of Dimes

This site provides information about NAS includes key points, definition, signs and symptoms, complications, prevention, testing, and treatment. Click here for an infographic: Caring for a Baby with NAS.

National Organization of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (external website)

NOFAS is a clearinghouse and media center that provides information and resources about the prevention of FASD. Visit the site to sign up for weekly emails and alerts.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) (external website)
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention

This CDC page provides resources related to basics about FASDs, tracking and monitoring, alcohol use in pregnancy, statistics, training, articles and other free materials.