Prenatal Substance Exposure, Part II: Interventions and Caring for Children with Prenatal Exposure

Exposure to substances during pregnancy (including recreational, illicit, some prescription drugs, as well as alcohol and smoking) has significant impact on the developing fetus.

Some of the most pronounced impacts are on executive function, emotion regulation, and adaptive skills (the skills of daily life). Caring for and raising children with prenatal exposure can be very challenging, but with early awareness, targeted interventions and appropriate parenting skills, the outcomes can be significantly better. 

We will provide a brief basic review of the neurodevelopmental impacts which were discussed in our Part I webinar, and then discuss intervention and caregiving/parenting strategies useful in caring for those who have been exposed or suspected to have been exposed to substances prenatally.

This webinar is for parents (adoptive, foster, and biological), caregivers, family members, and assistants (including domestic helpers, in-home aides, and respite carers). Professionals in medicine, nursing, mental health, social services, developmental therapies, child care, and education are also welcome, as important members of the treatment team who should be equipped to support effective caregiving and family functioning.

Dr. Stacy Lee Blythe, RN, BN(Hons I), Grad Cert Dev Trauma, Grad Cert Teaching (HE), MBA, PhD

Affiliations: Senior Research Fellow, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Deputy Director Translational Research and Social Innovation Group at the Ingham Institute

Dr Stacy Blythe is a Registered Nurse and a Research Academic. Her research focuses on the health and well-being of children in out-of-home care and their families (both birth and foster families). As a lecturer in Infant Mental Health, she is particularly interested in infants who are prenatally exposed to harmful substances (eg. illicit drugs). In addition to her nursing, teaching and research qualifications, Stacy has post graduate certification in Developmental Trauma. Stacy has also been an authorised foster carer for 16+ years. Drawing on her skills as a nurse, knowledge as a researcher and experience as a carer, Stacy provides training to health care workers, social service providers and foster carers in relation to working with children who have prenatal substance exposure and/or have experienced trauma.

Moderator: 

Dr. Erica Liu Wollin, Registered Clinical Psychologist, Private Practice, Hong Kong; Adoptive Parent

Dr. Erica Liu Wollin is an adoptive parent and Registered Clinical Psychologist. Her private practice in Sheung Wan specializes in trauma treatment for adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families. She holds a PsyD and MA in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College (USA). Dr. Wollin is a Certified EMDR Therapist, an EMDRIA-Approved Consultant, a Brainspotting Level 2 Therapist, and a Certified Safe and Sound Protocol provider. She has volunteered with AFHK for over 13 years and is a trainer and consultant for Mother’s Choice. Her clinical interests include complex trauma, adoption and foster care, attachment, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

This special event is open to:

There will be a Q&A session at the end, and our presenters and AFHK team welcome those registering to send any questions they have about the topic in advance.  This will help the team plan for this.  Please send your questions to outreach@afhk.org.hk.  All questions will be acknowledged but we may not have capacity to reply over email, and depending on the volume, may not be able to answer all.

This webinar is proudly brought to you by Mother's Choice Hong Kong (http://motherschoice.org) and Adoptive Families of Hong Kong. 

As a volunteer organisation, we rely on our members and donors' support to help us organise and offer events such as these. Please consider donating here: https://afhk.org.hk/donation