The NST and Screening for Youth Probation Officers
Channel: Children's Healthcare Canada
Date: 2012-01-10

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The NST is a simple pen and paper questionnaire, which is based on 10 individual items representing common areas of parent reported behavioural concerns in children with FASD.  It is intended to be used as a brief screening instrument as part of a diagnostic interview conducted by a psychologist, in a variety of settings. Scores from the NST are able to statistically differentiate children with a suspected FASD from typically developing children, children with ADHD, and children with ODD/CD.  The presentation will focus on NST research to date, as well describe how the tool may be used in a clinical setting through a case vignette.

Dr. Conry will discuss the Probation Officer Screening and Referral Tool for use by youth probation officers. Developed by the Youth Justice FASD Program at the Asante Centre for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (Maple Ridge, B.C.), it is based on the scientific literature and clinical experience in making FASD diagnoses. A simple checklist of environmental and personal youth factors has been found to be effective in identifying youth who are likely to receive an FASD diagnosis, when assessed. This presentation will discuss the development of the tool, its use, and the need for future research to establish its validity. The screening and referral tool as well as the accompanying guidebook are available for free download on the Asante Centre website at www.asantecentre.org. Dr. Chudley will discuss research emerging on how the tool can be potentially introduced and evaluated at the Manitoba FASD Youth Justice Program at the Manitoba Youth Centre.

Presenters:

~Kelly Nash - The NST:  Neurobehavioural ScreeningTool
~Dr. Julianne Conry - Asante Centre Probation Officer Tool
~Dr. Albert Chudley - Winnipeg Probation Officer Project