Cognitive And Social/Emotional Influences On Adaptive Functioning In Children With Fasd: Clinical And Cultural Considerations

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is one of the leading causes of intellectual disability and learning difficulties around the world. Children with FASD often have extremely low adaptive behavior due to the severity of brain impairment, however there is limited understanding as to the important predictors of adaptive behavior. In a study of 39 children with FASD and 29 comparison children, we found that social cognition (specifically recognizing emotions) was the only significant independent predictor of teacher-rated adaptive functioning even after including IQ, executive functioning, and adverse childhood experiences into the model. In this current study, Maori (Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand) were overrepresented; therefore, the research was supported by a strong partnership with Te Wahanga Hauora Maori (Maori Health Service). Aotearoa New Zealand's colonized history is recognized and findings are discussed with regard to both the psychological literature and a Te Ao Maori worldview.