This book discusses and provides insight on the legal and ethical dilemmas of managing those
with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). This book provides a clear perspective for those
clinicians and legal professionals who are working with those with this disorder and
correspondingly increases their understanding when arranging effective supports for this
population. Historically the primary focus on FASD has been on children. However this is a
lifelong disorder and the implications of this disorder become even more prominent and complex
in adulthood. Those with this condition can struggle with impulsiveness and a host of
cognitive difficulties. This correspondingly impacts their independence and employability and
produces an elevated risk for homelessness and other residential issues involvement in
substance use being exploited development of behavioural issues and subsequent legal
difficulties. Their cognitive difficulties result in challenges for legal systems around the
world to understand their issues and to design appropriate remedial strategies
recommendations for treatments and supports and even for understanding the failure of many of
these individuals to be able to change their behaviours effectively. This produces various
legal and ethical dilemmas which are discussed in detail in this volume by 28 authors from
Europe New Zealand and North America. These include discussions regarding the rights of the
unborn child the alcohol industry's duty to warn whether small amounts of alcohol during
pregnancy can be condoned and even the current use of involuntary hospitalization for addicted
mothers. Other chapters discuss the need for training on FASD for front line officers use of
lies during interrogation of those with FASD medical and legal interventions for offenders
with FASD access to diagnostic services and follow-up supports and whether FASD can be
considered a mitigating factor for sentencing. Furthermore caregivers also provide their
stories regarding the daily dilemmas that are faced in raising those with FASD.
