Abstract
Design Multidisciplinary assessment of all young people aged 10–17 years 11 months and sentenced to detention in the only youth detention centre in Western Australia, from May 2015 to December 2016. FASD was diagnosed according to the Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD.
Participants 99 young people completed a full assessment (88% of those consented; 60% of the 166 approached to participate); 93% were male and 74% were Aboriginal.
Findings 88 young people (89%) had at least one domain of severe neurodevelopmental impairment, and 36 were diagnosed with FASD, a prevalence of 36% (95% CI 27% to 46%).
Conclusions This study, in a representative sample of young people in detention in Western Australia, has documented a high prevalence of FASD and severe neurodevelopmental impairment, the majority of which had not been previously identified. These findings highlight the vulnerability of young people, particularly Aboriginal youth, within the justice system and their significant need for improved diagnosis to identify their strengths and difficulties, and to guide and improve their rehabilitation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e019605 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | BMJ |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 26 Mar 2018 |
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Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and youth justice : a prevalence study among young people sentenced to detention in Western Australia. / Bower, Carol; Watkins, Rochelle Elizabeth; Mutch, Raewyn Cheryll; Marriott, Rhonda Pearl; Freeman, Jacinta; Kippin, Natalie; Safe, Bernadette; Pestell, Carmela Franca; Cheung, Candy; Shield, Helen; Tarratt, Lodewicka; Springall, Alex; Taylor, Jasmine; Walker, Noni; Argiro, Emma; Leitao, Suze; Hamilton, Sharynne; Condon, Carmen; Passmore, Hayley; Giglia, Roslyn.
In: BMJ, Vol. 8, No. 2, e019605, 26.03.2018.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and youth justice
T2 - a prevalence study among young people sentenced to detention in Western Australia
AU - Bower, Carol
AU - Watkins, Rochelle Elizabeth
AU - Mutch, Raewyn Cheryll
AU - Marriott, Rhonda Pearl
AU - Freeman, Jacinta
AU - Kippin, Natalie
AU - Safe, Bernadette
AU - Pestell, Carmela Franca
AU - Cheung, Candy
AU - Shield, Helen
AU - Tarratt, Lodewicka
AU - Springall, Alex
AU - Taylor, Jasmine
AU - Walker, Noni
AU - Argiro, Emma
AU - Leitao, Suze
AU - Hamilton, Sharynne
AU - Condon, Carmen
AU - Passmore, Hayley
AU - Giglia, Roslyn
PY - 2018/3/26
Y1 - 2018/3/26
N2 - Objectives To estimate the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) among young people in youth detention in Australia. Neurodevelopmental impairments due to FASD can predispose young people to engagement with the law. Canadian studies identified FASD in 11%–23% of young people in corrective services, but there are no data for Australia.Design Multidisciplinary assessment of all young people aged 10–17 years 11 months and sentenced to detention in the only youth detention centre in Western Australia, from May 2015 to December 2016. FASD was diagnosed according to the Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD.Participants 99 young people completed a full assessment (88% of those consented; 60% of the 166 approached to participate); 93% were male and 74% were Aboriginal.Findings 88 young people (89%) had at least one domain of severe neurodevelopmental impairment, and 36 were diagnosed with FASD, a prevalence of 36% (95% CI 27% to 46%).Conclusions This study, in a representative sample of young people in detention in Western Australia, has documented a high prevalence of FASD and severe neurodevelopmental impairment, the majority of which had not been previously identified. These findings highlight the vulnerability of young people, particularly Aboriginal youth, within the justice system and their significant need for improved diagnosis to identify their strengths and difficulties, and to guide and improve their rehabilitation.
AB - Objectives To estimate the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) among young people in youth detention in Australia. Neurodevelopmental impairments due to FASD can predispose young people to engagement with the law. Canadian studies identified FASD in 11%–23% of young people in corrective services, but there are no data for Australia.Design Multidisciplinary assessment of all young people aged 10–17 years 11 months and sentenced to detention in the only youth detention centre in Western Australia, from May 2015 to December 2016. FASD was diagnosed according to the Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD.Participants 99 young people completed a full assessment (88% of those consented; 60% of the 166 approached to participate); 93% were male and 74% were Aboriginal.Findings 88 young people (89%) had at least one domain of severe neurodevelopmental impairment, and 36 were diagnosed with FASD, a prevalence of 36% (95% CI 27% to 46%).Conclusions This study, in a representative sample of young people in detention in Western Australia, has documented a high prevalence of FASD and severe neurodevelopmental impairment, the majority of which had not been previously identified. These findings highlight the vulnerability of young people, particularly Aboriginal youth, within the justice system and their significant need for improved diagnosis to identify their strengths and difficulties, and to guide and improve their rehabilitation.
U2 - 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019605
DO - 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019605
M3 - Article
VL - 8
JO - BMJ: British Medical Journal
JF - BMJ: British Medical Journal
SN - 0959-535X
IS - 2
M1 - e019605
ER -