This theme helps participants understand the short and long-term impact on children exposed to substances prenatally including FASD. Also covered are issues that may be present if parents use(d) substances and medical issues that can arise due to substance exposure including higher risk of later addiction. The genetic component of addiction and addiction as a chronic disease is described. This theme also shares parenting strategies for children exposed to substances prenatally.

• Understand what FASD is and the potential lifelong impact upon children’s social,
  emotional, and cognitive functioning that are associated with this and other parental
  substance use conditions.
• Understand the impact substance use has on the developing brain – both in utero and
  throughout the lifetime.
• Can identify strategies to effectively parent children who have been exposed to
  substances prenatally.
• Understand the genetic component of addiction and addiction as a chronic disease.

• Committed to learning new techniques and adjusting parenting style when caring for
  children who have been exposed to substances prenatally.
• Committed to model a healthy lifestyle for children.
• Embraces the concept that children who have been exposed to substances will likely
  have special needs.
• Willing to have compassion for parents who are seeking treatment for an addiction and
  understands that relapse is a part of recovery.

• Able to reframe challenging behaviors using positive behavioral support techniques.

*FASD = fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
*FAS=fetal alcohol syndrome