Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder service delivery: Exploring current systems of care from the caregivers’ perspective

  • Lori Jane Walls Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta 6-130 Education North, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G5
  • Jacqueline Pei Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta 6-130 Education North, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G5
Keywords: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, FASD, caregiver, supports, services

Abstract

Walls, L., & Pei, J. (2013). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder service delivery: Exploring current systems of care from the caregivers’ perspective. The International Journal Of Alcohol And Drug Research, 2(3), 87-92. doi:10.7895/ijadr.v2i3.75 (http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v2i3.75)

Aims: The goals of this study were to: (1) gain improved understanding of the needs of caregivers caring for individuals with FASD; (2) gain improved understanding of the experiences of these caregivers as they attempt to access and implement supports in daily functioning; and (3) gain improved understanding of caregivers’ perceptions of strengths and challenges in systems of care for individuals with FASD.

Design: Information for this study was gathered using a phenomenological in-depth interviewing method, allowing the researchers to explore existing services, policies, and local knowledge from the perspective of the caregivers who were accessing services. 

Participants: A total of eight participants (N = 8) met the criteria for participation.  Six of the participants in the study were adoptive parents and two were foster parents.  Of the eight participants, seven were female and one was male.  Three of the study participants resided in rural locations and five in urban centers. 

Findings: Results indicated that caregivers pass through four stages of caregiving, with each stage having a distinct primary need and requiring supports and services that best address that need.  Three additional themes related to service delivery also emerged: caregiver considerations, program factors, and building on strengths. 

Conclusions: Study results emphasize the need for further research exploring the concept that caregivers experience specific caregiving stages, and that programming factors should align with caregivers’ needs in each of these stages.  Participants’ narratives also suggest that the results of this study may be relevant beyond its regional specificity and limited sample size, and may in fact reflect the experiences of caregivers across jurisdictions.

Author Biographies

Lori Jane Walls, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta 6-130 Education North, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G5

Lori Walls, MC, R. Psych (AB), PhD Student,Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta

Jacqueline Pei, Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta 6-130 Education North, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G5
Jacqueline Pei, Ph.D., R.Psych.
Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Psychology
Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics
University of Alberta
Published
2013-04-03
How to Cite
Walls, L. J., & Pei, J. (2013). Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder service delivery: Exploring current systems of care from the caregivers’ perspective. International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 2(3), 87-92. https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v2i3.75
Section
Papers