|
Feb.
14, 2006
MGHS
Specialty Clinic recognized for its
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Aftercare Program
Specialty
Clinic at MGH is one of six statewide centers
The Specialty
Clinic at Marquette General Hospital has been recognized by the
Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) for its superior
aftercare program in treating those with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
Disorder (FASD).
The Aftercare Program provides a FASD consultant to help families
implement clinic recommendations and develop strategies to manage
the disability; consults with the school systems the children
attend; and offers ongoing consultation with families.
In short, it’s designed to provide a standard of care to
successfully treat FASD patients.
FASD refers to a variety of physical changes, and neurological
and/or psychometric patterns of brain damage associated with fetal
exposure to alcohol during pregnancy. The brain damage can result
in a range of physiological, learning or behavioral disabilities
in individuals.
Karen Twa is the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Consultant in
the Specialty Clinic at Marquette General. She said the Aftercare
Program clearly sets Marquette General apart from other institutions
that treat FASD.
“We offer a number of professional workshops, and work closely
with school agencies, physicians, the probate judicial system
and substance abuse programs,” said Twa, who travels all
across the Upper Peninsula to consult with families affected by
FASD. “We treat FASD by providing support to manage it.
We provide structure.”
The Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) Diagnostic Clinic at Marquette
General is one of six Centers of Excellence Diagnostic and Treatment
Centers in Michigan. The others are located in Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo,
Grand Rapids, Detroit and Traverse City.
The FAS Diagnostic Clinic provides care to individuals of all
ages (toddlers to adults) from the Upper Peninsula/Northern Lower
Peninsula who have been prenatally exposed to alcohol and have
concerns about their learning or behavior. A multidisciplinary
team — including a pediatrician, psychologist, registered
nurse, occupational therapist, speech therapist and social worker
— staff the clinic.
Those with FASD have difficulty translating knowledge learned
from one situation to another. It can result in impaired mental
function, including general intelligence, mastery of reading,
spelling, math and level of adaptive functioning. During childhood,
60 percent of children with FASD have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD). During adulthood, most adults with FASD have
clinical depression.
The MDCH recently awarded the Specialty Clinic a $30,000 Community
Project Grant — $10,000 per year, over three years —
to help augment its Aftercare Program.
The grant money has been used to help implement and pilot a unique
Therapeutic Riding Project for FASD patients at Willow Farm in
Harvey. More than two dozen patients and their families participate
each year in the six-week program.
While the patients ride in a group session, parents also meet
to learn more about FASD and how it relates to their children
and themselves. Monthly follow-up sessions are held with parents
following completion of the program.
The results have been glowing.
“It was magical to see the change that came over my son
during the time he was in the (Therapeutic Riding) program,”
one parent said. “He was less aggressive and more easy-going.
It helped our relationship as well. What a God-send.”
Said another parent: “My daughter’s behavior has greatly
improved since she started riding. She can identify that her pony
has helped her to be better able to pay attention, be brave, be
gentle, stay on task and build on friendships.”
The Specialty Clinic has treated FASD patients since January 2000
when it was awarded a $32,000 MDCH grant. According to Sue Britton,
Nurse Manager of the Specialty Clinics, the MGH Specialty Clinic
typically sees about two dozen patients per year, ranging in age
from 3 months to 52 years.
Because of the chronic frustration associated with FASD, patients
sometimes turn to alcohol or drugs as a means of escape, Twa said.
“With FASD patients, we often see school failures and mental
health issues,” she said.
A child with FASD, Twa said, is often misunderstood.
“In treating this,” she said, “everyone has
to be on the same page by consistently managing it.”
“Our mission is to make a difference in the lives of the
children we see here,” Britton said. “The statewide
goal is to reduce the number of children born in Michigan with
FASD, provide timely diagnosis, and assist those who are diagnosed
with needed support services.”
For more information about the Specialty Clinic or its services
for treating FASD, call 225-4777 or 1-800-562-9753, ext. 4777;
or visit its website at www.mgh.org/wcc/spec.html.
|
