GoFAR: improving attention, behavior and adaptive functioning in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders: Brief report

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Claire Coles, Emory University; Julie Kable, Emory University; Elles Taddeo, Emory University; Dorothy Strickland, Do2learn.com
• Language: English
• Date: 2018-01-01
• Publisher: Informa Healthcare
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2018 Taylor & Francis.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17518423.2018.1424263
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Developmental Neurorehabilitation
• ISSN: 1751-8423
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 5
• Start Page: 345
• End Page: 349
• Grant/Funding Information: This research was supported by NIH/NIAAA Grant # R21/33 AA019582
• Keywords: Science & Technology; Pediatrics; Computer game; Neurosciences & Neurology; metacognitive strategies; parent training; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; FASD; Clinical Neurology; Rehabilitation
• Research Categories: Psychology, Behavioral

Abstract

Objective: This brief report describes the GoFAR intervention designed to improve attention, behavior, and adaptive functioning in children with FASD, ages 5 to 10 years. Methods: Thirty children were randomized to one of three conditions: GoFAR; FACELAND, and CONTROL; 25 completed the interventions. Over 10 sessions children and caregivers learned a metacognitive strategy (FAR) designed to improve cognitive control of behavior and adaptive functioning and practiced it during behavior analog therapy. Attention, behavior problems, and adaptive skills were measured pre- and post-intervention. Results: From pre- to post-testing the GoFAR intervention group improved on the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA). Both intervention groups improved in Daily Living Skills. Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrated that children with FASD and their caregivers benefit from a focused intervention designed to improve effortful control of behavior. The study suggests the need for a larger clinical trial to evaluate the intervention’s effectiveness.