Trainings and Education

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

Trainings are offered to a wide range of audiences including but not limited to physicians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, attorneys, probation officers, foster and adoptive parents, students, and educators. Topics include an overview of the FASD phenotype and clinical presentation, the neurobehavioral aspects of FASD and its effects on educational functioning, a summary of current research/interventions, and perspectives from a parent raising a child with FASD.

A key feature in addressing FASD is building resiliency factors in families. In 2012 we formed the Southern California chapter of the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (SoCal NOFAS). The chapter serves as the foundation for parent support and involvement in community outreach. For more information, visit the SoCal NOFAS website.

Native American Collaborations

As part of two projects within the San Diego Native American community, we offer a wide variety of training and educational opportunities, including: training Native research assistants in research methodology, motivational interviewing, and FASD; mentoring Native community college and undergraduate students in scientific methods and providing them with the opportunity to present at national conferences; training health care professionals who interact with the Native American community in FASD; and participating in numerous community education events.

Pregnancy Studies

Presentations are offered to a wide range of health professionals including obstetricians, pediatricians, rheumatologists, gastroenterologists, pharmacists, physician assistants, and nurses.  Topics include the safety of specific medications during pregnancy,  vaccine use during pregnancy, and effects of auto-inflammatory conditions on pregnancy.

Training and educational opportunities are available to Master's, PhD, postdoctoral, and medical students who are interested in studying pregnancy outcomes in women with various exposures during pregnancy. 

For more information about training and education, visit the Center for Better Beginnings website. 

Inquiries about trainings can be directed to pedsresearch@ucsd.edu​