This paper presents information on several complex aspects of the prenatal drug exposure problem faced by educators and other professionals. The paper examines the incidence of substance-abusing pregnant women and outlines the dimensions of family problems presented by these women in terms of family history, service needs, medical concerns, and psychological characteristics. It discusses the physical and developmental effects in infants prenatally exposed to drugs. Multidisciplinary services are recommended to serve the medical, social, family, economic, educational, and psychological needs of the pregnant drug user. Common misconceptions concerning drug-exposed children's educational needs are dispelled, and a proactive stance in the "need cycle" of families affected by drug abuse is urged. Classroom-level protective and facilitative factors are listed, and recommendations are offered for future directions in serving drug-affected families. Five resources for further information are described. (16 references) (JDD)
Authors
- Authorizing Institution
- Mountain Plains Regional Resource Center, Des Moines, IA.
- Peer Reviewed
- F
- Publication Type
- ['Information Analyses', 'Guides - Non-Classroom']
- Published in
- United States of America
- Sponsor
- Department of Education, Washington, DC.
