Develop your understanding of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and better recognise FASD-related indicators that can often be misunderstood or overlooked within justice system settings.
FASD is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder caused by prenatal alcohol exposure, leading to impairments across multiple areas of brain function including attention, learning, memory and executive functioning.
People with FASD often experience behavioural dysregulation, impulsivity, and difficulty managing emotions or social interactions, which can influence how they engage with others and with systems such as education, health and justice.
Gain a greater understanding of:
- the prevalence in Australia and common features of FASD
- recognising and responding to FASD within justice settings
- approaches to improving engagement, communication and decision-making support for people with FASD and their families.
Photo by Susan Wilkinson on Unsplash.
This event is for judicial officers only.
Speakers.
Prue Walker is a clinical social worker specialising in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Arts in Social Policy from RMIT. Prue has 20 years’ experience in child protection and out-of-home care services, having worked as a manager and practice leader in both Victoria and the Northern Territory, and has also managed adoption and permanent care services. In 2008 Prue was awarded a Churchill Fellowship, allowing her to study models of care for children with FASD in the US and Canada.
Prue is the Clinic Coordinator for FASDConnect at Monash Health, a newly established service dedicated to the early identification and diagnosis of FASD in children within Victoria’s out-of-home care system. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the 2023 Monash Health Award for Excellence in Allied Health Practice and, more recently, received the 2024 HESTA Award for Individual Excellence.
Prue provides training and consultation services to families, professionals, and organisations to better address the needs of those with FASD. She is an advocate for improved identification of FASD within the child protection and youth justice systems in order to reduce risks to children and young people.
Prue Walker is a clinical social worker specialising in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Arts in Social Policy from RMIT. Prue has 20 years’ experience in child protection and out-of-home care services, having worked as a manager and practice leader in both Victoria and the Northern Territory, and has also managed adoption and permanent care services. In 2008 Prue was awarded a Churchill Fellowship, allowing her to study models of care for children with FASD in the US and Canada.
Prue is the Clinic Coordinator for FASDConnect at Monash Health, a newly established service dedicated to the early identification and diagnosis of FASD in children within Victoria’s out-of-home care system. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the 2023 Monash Health Award for Excellence in Allied Health Practice and, more recently, received the 2024 HESTA Award for Individual Excellence.
Prue provides training and consultation services to families, professionals, and organisations to better address the needs of those with FASD. She is an advocate for improved identification of FASD within the child protection and youth justice systems in order to reduce risks to children and young people.