A Few Words about the Families Moving Forward Intervention Model...

There is a great need for intervention research and information on evidence-based services for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) and the families and professionals who care for them. This type of research is an important focus at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Research Institute.

"Families Moving Forward" (FMF) is one intervention model now under study. At its heart, the FMF intervention model is aimed at providing ongoing support to parents and helping them better understand their challenging children. The intervention model also aims to help parents hone skills they already have, while adding specialized parenting techniques to their care-giving repertoire. These specialized techniques are based on what we theorize (based on research and clinical experience) are best practices for raising children with FASDs. The FMF model of sustained behavioral consultation was built on the clinical wisdom of parents and clinicians who, for years, have cared for children with FASDs. This intervention model was also based on evidence-based techniques from parenting education and child treatment literature.

This behavioral consultation intervention does not replace other community resources and providers that families find helpful, but adds value to these resources. With the help of their FMF Specialist, families hopefully "move forward" on an improving life path. The FMF intervention is realistic. Services are not expected to solve all problems; but interventionists join with families, with the aim of helping to boost their progress in a positive direction and give them reason to be more optimistic.

The FMF program has been offered as a home visiting intervention model. But these intervention techniques can likely also be used in mental health clinics, early intervention settings, child guidance centers, or in settings where diagnosis of FASDs is done. The FMF model is both "manualized" (has certain core components and a specific session flow) and "individualized" (has special optional components that different families can decide to do). The session flow starts with core components of the curriculum. An example of a core component that all caregivers discuss and learn is "reframing" in which caregivers come to see their child's behavior in light of their neurodevelopmental disabilities. An example of an optional component that some families might choose is a session on calming strategies that can be used for children with FASDs.

Check out our links page to learn more about FASDs, FASD intervention and the Families Moving Forward intervention model. And check here again for new links to published information on FMF as it becomes available!