FASDMN Chapter

Sex Offender Treatment Professional Perceptions of FASD in the Midwest

Hello,

My name is Jerrod Brown and I represent a group of researchers from various organizations. I am writing to you today to ask for your participation in a study regarding your perceptions and experiences of working with individuals afflicted by FASD who have engaged in sexually inappropriate behaviors. You were chosen to take part in this study because you are a member of the Minnesota Chapter of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (MnATSA) listserve.

CONTACTS AND QUESTIONS

This study is being conducted by Jerrod Brown, jerrod01234brown@live.com, Jeff Louie, MD with the University of Minnesota, louie003@umn.edu, and Diane Neal with Project Pathfinders, dneal@projectpathfinder.org. Please contact any member listed above if you any additional questions or concerns. The Institutional Review Board at the University of Minnesota approved this study.

SURVEY DETAILS

The current study is titled Sex Offender Treatment Professional Perceptions of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in the Midwest.

The survey should take about 4-5 minutes to complete.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS AND BENEFITS?
There are no risks or direct benefits to taking part in the study.

WHO’S GOING TO SEE THE PARTICIPANTS ANSWERS?
The survey contains no identifying information. The records of this study will be kept private and anonymized. There will be no ability to make adjustments or corrections to any participant’s responses. Any report published will not include identifying information.

VOLUNTARY NATURE OF THE STUDY
This survey is voluntary. The participant is free to stop at any point up to completion of the survey. There are no penalties assessed to the participant for non-completion. Once the survey has been completed there is no way for the researcher to remove the submitted results.

The researchers thank you for your time reading this informed consent whether you choose to participate or not.

The results of this survey will help the researchers add to the field’s knowledge thanks in large part to participants such as you.

Sex Offender Treatment Professional Perceptions of FASD in the Midwest

INSTRUCTIONS:

At a prevalence of 2-5% in the United States, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a condition caused by the maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Significantly higher rates of FASD have been reported amongst individuals involved in the criminal justice and legal systems. As such, it is likely that sex offender treatment professionals come into contact with individuals on this spectrum on a regular basis.

This anonymous and brief survey will take approximately 4-5 minutes to complete. It asks about your knowledge of FASD and experiences with sex offenders suspected or diagnosed with FASD.

The survey has received ethical approval from the University of Minnesota Institutional Review Board (1703E11283). There are no foreseeable risks or benefits to participation, and you may stop at any time.

Question Title

* 1. Please check the top five consequences frequently associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder?

Adaptive functioning deficits

Back pain

Concentration deficits

Dry mouth

Executive function deficits

Impulse control problems

Language deficits

Learning disabilities

Memory problems

Poor judgment

Sensory integration deficits

Sleep problems

Social skill deficits

Substance Misuse

Question Title

* 2. What symptoms and deficits associated with FASD most likely contribute to inappropriate sexual behaviors among this population?
Check all boxes that apply:

Adaptive Functioning Deficits

Developmental immaturity

Executive function deficits

Headaches

Impulsivity

Inability to Link Cause and Effect

Inappropriate Role Modeling

Lack of understanding personal boundaries

Perseveration

Poor coping skills

Sleep Problems

Social Skill Deficits

Substance Misuse

Question Title

* 3. Based on your knowledge, what percentage of individuals diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder have facial abnormalities such as wideset eyes, thin upper lip, smooth philtrum, upturned nose, epicanthal folds, and small head size? Check only one answer.

0-25%

26%-50%

51%-75%

76%-100%

Question Title

* 4. What percentage of individuals diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder become involved in the criminal justice system? Check only one

0-25%

26%-50%

51%-75%

76%-100%

Question Title

* 5. Have you ever received training related to the interaction between Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and sexually inappropriate behaviors? (If unsure, please select No)

Yes

I do not know or recall

Question Title

* 6. If you have received training on the recognition of FASD, how useful was it in helping you determine if a client has FASD?

Rank 1 through 5: (5 being extremely helpful)

Not helpful at all

Somewhat helpful

Helpful

Very helpful

Extremely helpful

Never Received

Question Title

* 7. Would you likely benefit from a continuing education course that addresses the interaction between Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and sexually inappropriate behaviors?

Yes

I do not know

Question Title

* 8. What intervention(s) and strategies have you found most helpful when treating this population within the context of sex offender treatment? Please list your responses.

Question Title

* 9. What is the most common co-occurrence of Mental Health Disorder amongst your clients with FASD?

Anti-Social Personality Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Bipolar Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder

Breathing Disorder

Conduct Disorder (CD)

Digestive Disorder

Learning Disorder

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)

Other Personality Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)

Sleep Disorders

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 10. What is your highest completed degree level? (Please check all that apply)

Undergraduate

Graduate (Masters or equivalent)

Doctorate

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 11. How many years have you been working in the field of sex offender treatment or supervision?

Years

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

Question Title

* 12. Please check the environment you do the majority of your work with sex offenders.

Outpatient/Community Setting

Inpatient

Private practice

Correctional/Prison

Civil commitment

Probation

Day Treatment

Group Home

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 13. In a typical month how many clients do you suspect you see with FASD?

Referrals per month:

1 to 2 per month

3 to 4 per month

5 to 10 per month

11 to 20 per month

21+ per month

None

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 14. What age range of clients do you work with?

Child: (0-12)

Adolescent: (13-17)

Adults: (18 +)

Combination of Child and Adolescent

Combination of Adolescent and Adults

All age groups

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 15. What is your role with your clients? (please check box that best applies)

Therapist/Counselor

Case manager

Clinical Supervisor

Intern/Student/Trainee

Probation/parole officer

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 16. Do you think having an FASD screening tool would help you screen more often for FASD?

Yes

I do not know

Question Title

* 17. 18. How many years have you been working with sex offenders? Please check one.

Years

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

Question Title

* 18. Please indicate your gender

Female

Male

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 19. Please indicate your age. (Please select your best response)

Your current age in years

100

Clear

i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

Question Title

* 20. What state do you do most of your work in?

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 1. Please check the top five consequences frequently associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder?

Question Title

* 2. What symptoms and deficits associated with FASD most likely contribute to inappropriate sexual behaviors among this population? Check all boxes that apply:

Question Title

* 3. Based on your knowledge, what percentage of individuals diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder have facial abnormalities such as wideset eyes, thin upper lip, smooth philtrum, upturned nose, epicanthal folds, and small head size? Check only one answer.

Question Title

* 4. What percentage of individuals diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder become involved in the criminal justice system? Check only one

Question Title

* 5. Have you ever received training related to the interaction between Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and sexually inappropriate behaviors? (If unsure, please select No)

Question Title

* 6. If you have received training on the recognition of FASD, how useful was it in helping you determine if a client has FASD?Rank 1 through 5: (5 being extremely helpful)

Question Title

* 7. Would you likely benefit from a continuing education course that addresses the interaction between Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and sexually inappropriate behaviors?

Question Title

* 8. What intervention(s) and strategies have you found most helpful when treating this population within the context of sex offender treatment? Please list your responses.

Question Title

* 9. What is the most common co-occurrence of Mental Health Disorder amongst your clients with FASD?

Question Title

* 10. What is your highest completed degree level? (Please check all that apply)

Question Title

* 11. How many years have you been working in the field of sex offender treatment or supervision?

Question Title

* 12. Please check the environment you do the majority of your work with sex offenders.

Question Title

* 13. In a typical month how many clients do you suspect you see with FASD? Referrals per month:

Question Title

* 14. What age range of clients do you work with?

Question Title

* 15. What is your role with your clients? (please check box that best applies)

Question Title

* 16. Do you think having an FASD screening tool would help you screen more often for FASD?

Question Title

* 17. 18. How many years have you been working with sex offenders? Please check one.

Question Title

* 18. Please indicate your gender

Question Title

* 19. Please indicate your age. (Please select your best response)

Question Title

* 20. What state do you do most of your work in?

* 2. What symptoms and deficits associated with FASD most likely contribute to inappropriate sexual behaviors among this population?
Check all boxes that apply:

* 6. If you have received training on the recognition of FASD, how useful was it in helping you determine if a client has FASD?

Rank 1 through 5: (5 being extremely helpful)

* 13. In a typical month how many clients do you suspect you see with FASD?

Referrals per month: