Who Should Attend

This free training is applicable to foster care attorneys, juvenile justice attorneys, state and federal public defenders, disability rights attorneys, social workers, psychologists, legal aid attorneys, and pro-bono attorneys handling capital cases at the trial level and appeal level.

Attendees may choose to participate in person or by Zoom.

Lawyers licensed in Louisiana will be eligible for 4 hours of CLE
This program is approved for 4 general contact hours by NASW-LA as authorized by the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners
Approved for 4 hours of continuing professional development for Louisiana Licensed Psychologists by the Louisiana Psychological Association

Understanding Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the Legal Profession

FASD as a Severe Developmental Disability
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a lifelong and severe developmental disability that begins at birth. Despite its prevalence, the majority of children with FASD remain undiagnosed, particularly within the foster care system. Without a proper diagnosis, these children are deprived of care that is informed by their specific needs, often resulting in multiple foster placements and heightened exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). These challenges frequently lead to secondary disabilities that are largely preventable with early intervention and support.

Developmental and Mental Health Impacts of FASD
Children with FASD often experience multiple developmental disabilities and have increased rates of mental health disorders, including ADHD, intellectual disabilities, sleep disorders, anxiety, and learning challenges. Addressing the effects of adversity on the healthy development of children with FASD is not only a matter of individual well-being but also critical to societal progress.

While some children demonstrate resilience and thrive despite exposure to hardship, others do not. Understanding the factors that enable resilience in children with FASD can inform improved interventions and services. Current estimates indicate that 1-5% of school-aged children (1 in every 20) meet the diagnostic criteria for FASD. Enhancing services for these children and their families is a pressing priority. Protective experiences and the development of coping skills can help counterbalance the adversity they face, tipping their development toward positive outcomes even in the face of significant challenges.

Adversity and Trauma Among Youth with FASD
The prevalence of trauma among youth with FASD is striking. Nearly 75% of these individuals have experienced physical trauma, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, bullying, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These adverse experiences exacerbate their developmental challenges, making early access to diagnosis and supportive services essential.

Barriers to Diagnosis and Access to Services
Despite the severity of FASD, societal misconceptions and stigma pose significant barriers to diagnosis and care. Because FASD often lacks outward physical markers, it is frequently misunderstood as an invisible disability. Many pediatricians are reluctant to ask about maternal alcohol use during pregnancy due to the stigma and perceived discomfort of addressing this issue with birth mothers. As a result, children with FASD are often misdiagnosed with conditions such as ADHD or learning disabilities, which leads to inadequate access to appropriate services.

The Role of Attorneys in Addressing FASD
FASD remains under-addressed in the legal profession, with most attorneys receiving little to no training on this disability. Understanding FASD is particularly crucial in legal contexts, as it should be considered a mitigating factor in all cases, including criminal cases. Attorneys must recognize the profound and lifelong impact of FASD on their clients to ensure these individuals receive the support and services they need.

The Importance of Early Intervention and Diagnosis
Effective treatment and services, particularly when provided early in life, significantly improve outcomes for individuals with FASD. Access to support should not be contingent on an individual’s IQ but rather based on the severity of the disability. Recognizing FASD as a severe developmental disability is critical to overcoming systemic barriers and providing appropriate care.

This training aims to equip legal professionals with the knowledge to identify FASD, address its stigma, and advocate for necessary interventions. By doing so, attorneys can play a pivotal role in ensuring justice and improving outcomes for individuals with FASD.

Schedule: Thursday, January 23, 2025

12:00 pmIntroductions

Kyla Romanach, Tom Donaldson, Lori James Townes, MSW, and Jim Boren
Lunch will be served for in-person attendees.

12:20-1:10 pmFASD and Neurobehavioral Impairments

Dr. Larry Burd, Ph.D

1:10-1:50 pmThe intersection of FASD and the criminal justice system with discussions of the Parkland, Florida school shooting case

Dr. Kenneth Jones, M.D.

1:50-2:05 pmBreak

2:05- 2:20 pmLessons about FASD from Juvenile Court

Judge Marian Gaston

2:20-3:00 pmStamping Out Stigma: Establishing the Maternal Alcohol History of the Birth Mother through Interviews and Investigation

William "Billy" Edwards

3:00- 4:00 pmPanel Discussion: Where Do We Go From Here? Establishing Working Relationships with Local and State Agencies who Advocate for People with FASD in Louisiana.

Panel consists of Kyla Romanach, Dr. Christina Chambers, Ph.D., Melanie Bray, and Diane Smith Howard

Learning Objectives

This one day training will include the following learning objectives:

Recognize the Indicators of FASD

Learn about screening processes for identifying FASD.
Understand the concept of "They can see you, but you cannot see them" in the context of FASD.

Address Stigma in Maternal Alcohol History

Explore strategies to overcome stigma associated with obtaining a birth mother’s alcohol history.

Improve Diagnostic Competence

Develop skills to properly recognize FASD.
Understand the importance of early screening and accurate diagnosis.

Enhance Outcomes for Individuals with FASD

Learn about disability services, special education resources, and mental health treatment to support individuals with FASD.
Understand the role of early intervention in improving long-term outcomes.

Collaborate with Experts for Evaluation

Identify the types of professionals needed to evaluate clients for FASD.

Understand FASD in Legal Contexts

Examine why FASD should be considered a mitigating factor in all criminal cases, including the death penalty.

Comprehend the Severity of FASD as a Developmental Disability

Understand why FASD is classified as a severe developmental disability.
Learn the equivalence between FASD and intellectual disabilities.

Interpret IQ and Adaptive Behavior in FASD

Explore why IQ scores are often misleading in the context of FASD.
Understand the significance of adaptive behavioral skills and why they are often low in individuals with FASD.

Educate Stakeholders on FASD

Learn effective methods to educate juries and other stakeholders about FASD and its implications.

Speakers

Tom Donaldson CEO and President of FASD UNITED, Washington, D.C

FASD United is the national organization supporting people with FASD and promoting healthy pregnancies free of substance exposure.

For over 25 years, Tom has been at the helm of FASD United as the CEO and President

Kyla Romanach District Defender, 19th JDC Office of Public Defender, Baton Rouge

Kyla Romanach has devoted her entire career to indigent defense. She is the Chief Public Defender for East Baton Rouge Parish. She is also the Director of the Baton Rouge Capital Conflict Office, representing indigent clients statewide in cases in which the state is seeking the death penalty. She is the mother of two internationally adopted children.

The Honorable Judge Marion Gaston Superior Court of San Diego County

Judge Marian Gaston currently presides over criminal trials in the San Diego Superior Court. She spent the previous five years in a dependency courthroom where she heard cases involving child abuse and neglect. Prior to being appointed to the bench, Judge Gaston worked as Deputy Public Defender representing indigent clients including a ten-year-old charged with murder who was diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. She came to believe that in utero exposure to alcohol was a factor in many of her juvenile cases, and has long championed screening for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders for all youth in juvenile institutions.

She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of California at Berkeley in 1996.

Dr. Kenneth Jones, M.D. Medical Director of the MotherToBaby California Pregnancy Health Information Line, and co-Director of the Center for Better Beginnings

Dr. Kenneth Lyons Jones, former Chief of the Division of Dysmorphology & Teratology at UCSD, is a renowned pediatrician specializing in birth defects. He co-directs the Center for Better Beginnings and serves as Medical Director of MotherToBaby California, a counseling and research program. Dr. Jones is globally recognized as a leading expert on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), having co-identified it in the U.S. in 1973. His research focuses on diagnosing birth defects, understanding fetal development, and identifying environmental teratogens. Author of over 400 publications and Smith’s Recognizable Patterns of Human Malformation, he remains a pioneer in his field.

Dr. Larry Burd. Ph.D. Director of the FASD Clinic at University of North Dakota

Dr. Larry Burd, PhD, is a professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Director of the North Dakota Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Center. With 44 years in the Pediatric Therapy Program, he has evaluated over 18,000 children with developmental disorders, birth defects, and mental illness. Dr. Burd has conducted research in 41 countries, published over 260 professional papers, and led clinics for children with developmental disabilities and mental health disorders across 41 Tribal Nations. His ongoing studies include Tourette syndrome, autism, fetal alcohol syndrome, and infant mortality risk.

William J. Edwards Deputy Public Defender, Los Angeles County

William (Billy) Edwards is a Deputy Public Defender in Los Angeles, California, working in the Los Angeles County Mental Health Court, representing clients with mental illness and neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive disorders.

Considered one of the early pioneers in the training of attorneys around FASD issues, this year marks the 27th Anniversary of Billy's first lecture on representing clients with FASD, held in Lafayette, Louisiana, for the Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Dr. Christina Chambers, Ph. D., MPH The University of California, San Deigo

Dr. Christina Chambers is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine at UC San Diego. She is Chief of the Division of Environmental Science and Health. Dr. Chambers co-directs the HEALthy Brain and Child Development Study (HBCD), a nationwide research initiative focused on developmental trajectories in over 7,000 children in various environments, including prenatal exposure to alcohol, from prenatal life through 10 years of age. Dr. Chambers leads research and educational initiatives in the U.S. and internationally on the prevalence, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, including individuals involved in the justice system. Dr. Chambers is dedicated to spreading awareness and helping those with FASD.

Lori James Townes, MSW Executive Director, National Association of Public Defense

Lori James-Townes is the Executive Director of the National Association of Public Defense (NAPD), bringing over 25 years of experience in public defense, leadership, and social work. She has led groundbreaking initiatives, including NAPD's Women's Conference and the 2021 Gideon Week Virtual Conference, the largest public defense training with 6,500 attendees. Founder of Expand-NOW, she specializes in coaching, teaching, and leadership training. A former Director at Maryland’s Office of Public Defender, Lori has taught at multiple universities and developed nationally recognized programs. She is a founding board member of the Black Public Defender’s Association and an award-winning speaker and advocate.

Diane Smith Howard, Esquire National Disability Right Network, Washington, D.C.

Managing NDRN’s team on community integration, Diane Smith Howard focuses on improving conditions for individuals with disabilities in institutional settings such as prisons, hospitals, and shelters, with special attention to youth and those from multiple protected classes. She provides training and advocacy, influencing policy through work with the Administration, Congress, and courts via amicus briefs. Diane earned a B.A. with honors from Colby College and a J.D. from Wayne State University Law School. A former P&A attorney in Maine and Michigan, she is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maine School of Law, inspired by personal connections to LGBTQI issues and youth in state custody.

Melanie Bray Director of Legal Programs & Advocacy , Disability Rights Louisiana

Melanie Bray is the Director of Legal Programs and Advocacy at Disability Rights Louisiana, a nonprofit law firm and the state’s Protection and Advocacy agency. She specializes in Medicaid services, autonomy advocacy, and supported decision-making (SDM). Melanie has led trainings on SDM and disability rights for attorneys, advocates, and health professionals. Her work includes major class action cases, such as those addressing the treatment of prisoners with mental illness. She has successfully represented individuals with disabilities in various courts and administrative hearings and serves on the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Legal Services for Persons with Disabilities Committee.

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East Baton Rouge Parish Library - River Center Branch
250 North Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
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I am an attorney licensed in Louisiana and would like to receive CLEs for attending this training.

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Approved for 4 hours of continuing professional development for Louisiana Licensed Psychologists by the Louisiana Psychological Association

I'm a Social Worker

This program is approved for 4 general contact hours by NASW-LA as authorized by the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners

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This high-quality training is the work of many organizations, professionals and volunteers. Please consider a donation to FASD United to support future work in this space.

FASD United is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and can accept tax-deductible contributions from your personal, corporate, or foundation accounts (Federal Tax Identification Number: 46-0412365).

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