fasd resources for legal and justice professionals

People with FASD are disproportionately represented in our legal and justice systems, both as victims and perpetrators. It is important that professionals are aware of this, and are working toward an FASD-informed justice system.

We work hard to make sure that this page is kept up to date, and has correct information. There are some websites with old or incorrect information on on them. You can always message us here if you have a question about something you see online, and we can tell you if it is a good or bad source for information on FASD.

Please click on the links in blue to access the resources.

fasd: a 3-minute introduction

discussion guide for police officers

communication breakdowns

discussion guide for police officers

Invisible disabilities: A day in the life

discussion guide for police officers

Environmental Scan of Resources for Individuals with FASD who are also involved in the Criminal Legal System

The Looking After Each Other Project (2016): FASD Language Guide 

FASD and the Justice System: http://fasdjustice.ca/ 

FASD Network of Saskatchewan: Tips for Justice Workers

Flanningan, K., Pei, J., Stewart, M., and Johnson, A. (2018). “Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and the criminal justice system: A systematic literature review”. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 57(42-52). 

CANFASD. (November 2015). “Environmental Scan: FASD & the Justice System in Canada”.

LawActually with Darin Thompson Podcast: “Justice & Legal Services for Clients with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder” (Guest: Speech-Language Pathologist Delena Hills of the Asante Centre) 

Asante Centre’s Reframe & Reconsider Poster Series:  

NEW 2021 RESEARCH: Health, social and legal outcomes of individuals with diagnosed or at risk for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: Canadian example.

FASD Informed Practice for Community Based Programs. College of New Caledonia. (2013).     


Promising Practices in Substance Abuse Treatment for Justice-Involved Youth with FASD

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is linked to a variety of adverse life outcomes including trouble with school and work, inappropriate sexual behaviours, confinement in hospitals or correctional institutions, and victimization.

Individuals with FASD are also disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system and experience high rates of substance abuse and mental health problems. Adolescence and early adulthood reflect particularly critical developmental periods during which there is an increased risk for problematic behaviour and continued engagement in serious substance abuse patterns and criminal justice system involvement. In spite of these known challenges, there is a gap in knowledge with respect to our understanding of how best to meet the treatment needs of justice-involved individuals living with FASD or similar intellectual or developmental disabilities.

The overall purpose of this project was to review and summarize various sources of evidence and knowledge regarding potentially effective and promising practices in substance abuse treatment for youth with FASD, and in particular, for those young people living with FASD who are involved in the criminal justice system. The project included three main components designed to ascertain various perspectives and sources of knowledge:

1) A review of the empirical and grey literature summarizing factors underlying substance abuse among justice-involved youth with FASD to identify promising practices.

2) A survey of practices and promising approaches employed by substance abuse treatment programs who serve individuals with FASD.

3) A community-based focus group held with a panel of multidisciplinary experts spanning a range of FASD, justice, and substance abuse treatment expertise to gauge barriers and promising practices for clients with FASD currently enrolled in treatment.

Read the Executive Summary for more information, or contact the Asante Centre to access the full research report.


FASD AND COMMUNICATION DISABILITY: STRATEGIES FOR YOUTH IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM

Many youth with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and other brain-based disabilities who are involved in the legal system as offenders, witnesses and victims, can find the language-heavy system overwhelming to navigate.  Communication impairments are common, creating barriers to appropriate engagement in legal processes from interviewing through to court hearings and following probation orders.  The Asante Centre was pleased to receive funding from the Victoria Foundation's FASD Action Fund to collaboratively develop a comprehensive curriculum for both caregivers and service providers on supporting youth with FASD and communication impairment through various levels of involvement in the justice system.

The "FASD and Communication Disability: Strategies for Youth in the Legal System" curriculum is available as a free download for use by qualified presenters throughout Canada.  For research purposes, please fill in your contact information where asked in order for us to track where the curriculum is being used. 

Access the curriculum materials to learn more.  Please note: Due to the large file size, download time may be significant.