Cocaine Babies: Florida's Substance-Exposed Youth.

N

113

Practitioners

Alcohol Abuse; Behavior Problems; Child Development; Cocaine; Congenital Impairments; Drug Abuse; Early Childhood Education; Early Intervention; Family Environment; Incidence; Intervention; Learning Problems; Resources; School Role; Substance Abuse

This report is designed to provide Florida's school personnel with assistance in working with students prenatally exposed to cocaine or other toxic substances. The report offers background data, practical strategies for teaching and learning, and resources for networking. The first chapter outlines statistics on the incidence of the problem of substance abuse in pregnant women, describes substances commonly used, and discusses symptoms of substance abuse. Chapter 2 examines the effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol and other drugs on the fetus, infants, toddlers, and older children. The next three chapters address the role of the child's environment, the role of the school, and the role of other helping professionals. The final chapter discusses resources available to aid the helping professional, including two hotlines; 17 sources for information, consultation, and training; and a selected bibliography of approximately 25 items. Several journal articles and papers are appended, including "Infants Exposed to Cocaine in Utero: Implications for Developmental Assessment and Intervention" (Jane W. Schneider and others); "Drug Exposed Babies: Research and Clinical Issues" (Donna R. Weston and others); "The Development of Young Children of Substance-Abusing Parents: Insights from Seven Years of Intervention and Research" (Judy Howard and others); "Psychological and Behavioral Effects in Children Prenatally Exposed to Alcohol" (Ann Pytkowicz Streissguth and Robin A. LaDue); "Behavior and Learning Difficulties in Children of Normal Intelligence Born to Alcoholic Mothers" (Sally E. Shaywitz and others); and "Letter from Prison: A Cocaine-Addicted Mother." (JDD)

1993

ED352765