Disturbo dello Spettro dell'Alcolismo Fetale (FASD) (Apprendimento Online) PgCert (ICL)

FASD refers to the physical, emotional and developmental effects of alcohol exposure during pregnancy. Neurodevelopmental disorders are known to be caused by prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). Health services worldwide are struggling to measure and address the issue. In March 2022 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published UK-wide guidance for assessing and diagnosing FASD, building on guidance published in 2019 by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidance Network (SIGN 156).

FASD is a public health issue, affecting roughly 3.25-5% of the general population FASD is also thought to be over-represented in justice and corrections, out-of-home care, and homelessness, mental health, and addictions services (Popova et al., 2019).

Few health professionals are familiar with the disorder and even fewer are confident in providing an assessment. In many countries, FASD remains underdiagnosed therefore, a greater diagnostic capacity is needed to meet demand (Clarren et al., 2011).

This programme will provide you with the skills and understanding to:

• recognise potential cases of FASD
• conduct a diagnostic assessment with a wider multi-disciplinary team
• develop clinical formulations of presenting difficulties
• provide care and treatment recommendations

You will be guided in this practice by an understanding of the context in which prenatal alcohol exposure occurs so that you can conduct your work in a trauma-informed, non-judgemental manner, and work sensitively with families.

The programme addresses recent calls for training in FASD for Health, Education and Social Care professionals. As the first FASD-focused university course in the UK, and one of few worldwide, this programme is designed to meet the needs of practising health and social care professionals by being accessible online and part-time.

Online learning

The programme is delivered in an online environment that provides a dynamic and collaborative learning experience.

Our flexible online learning environment allows you to access materials and learn when and where is most convenient for you. This allows you to work around your professional commitments while developing your expertise in FASD.

FASD experts from the Fetal Alcohol Advisory Support, and Training (FAAST) Team at the University of Edinburgh, NHS Scotland, and clinical academics from universities in the UK and abroad, help deliver our programme. This programme also includes opportunities to learn from individuals with lived experience of FASD.

The programme uses different methods to create a dynamic and collaborative learning environment, including:

• pre-recorded and live lectures
• live small-group seminars
• asynchronous group discussions

The content will mostly be accessed flexibly; however, some interactive live content will require engagement at specific times.

Assessment is through:

• An exam made up of multiple choice and short answer questions (Course 1)
• Coursework on example clinical cases (Courses 2 & 3)

You can also assess your progress with weekly multiple-choice questions that do not contribute to your final grade.

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1QS World University Rankings 2024 2Higher Education Statistics Agency 2017/18 3QS Student Cities 2023 4Times Higher Education, World’s Most International Universities 2022