Screening, Diagnosis, and Intervention with Juvenile Offenders

Abstract

This article overviews the research regarding youth with FASD in the juvenile justice system and describes three programs in the United States in which juvenile offenders are screened for FASD, then diagnosed and provided interventions specific to their needs. Programs in Colorado and Minnesota identify youth placed on probation and a program in Ohio was within an inpatient facility for delinquent youth. Each program has raised the awareness of providers so that the needs of the youth with FASD can be met more appropriately. The goals are to help these youth function better so that they will have lower rates of recidivism and a better chance of becoming productive citizens. The large number of youth identified in these projects demonstrates the importance of increasing awareness and identification of FASD in juvenile courts.