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Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and youth justice: a prevalence study among young people sentenced to detention in Western Australia
Journal: Authors:
BMJ Open Carol Bower, Rochelle E Watkins, Raewyn C Mutch, Rhonda Marriott, Jacinta Freeman, Natalie R Kippin, Bernadette Safe, Carmela Pestell, Candy SC Cheung, Helen Shield, Lodewicka Tarratt, Alex Springall, Jasmine Taylor, Noni Walker, Emma Argiro, Suze Leitão, Sharynne Hamilton, Carmen Condon, Hayley M Passmore, Roslyn Giglia February 2018
Publication date: This article has received 145 academic citations, and garnered 62 citations in Health Policy Documents. See the full details below. Real world impact
Cited: in 62 documents (62 health policy docs) from 3 countries with 15 different sources
Citation source Citations by source Top sources
Citing policy and guidance countries
Citing country
Australia
Canada
Intergovernmental Organization (IGO)
BMJ Impact Analytics Apr 2025
Academic impact
Altmetric Apr 2025 and Dimensions Apr 2025r
Let’s hear from the authors who wrote this 2018 article published in BMJ Open
“The decision to publish our research in an open access format was driven by a commitment to maximise the accessibility and impact of our findings.”
This project involved a multidisciplinary diagnostic team of clinicians in paediatrics, neuropsychology, speech pathology and occupational therapy, as well as expertise in Aboriginal research, epidemiology and database and project management. The team was supported by a consumer and community group, a steering group and a reference group.
What inspired you to pursue research in this particular area?
Our research stemmed from a desire to address a significant gap in knowledge regarding the prevalence and impact of FASD within vulnerable populations. In particular, we were seeing children with behaviours associated with neurodiversity such as FASD entering the justice system without their developmental needs understood. We recognised the potential implications of undiagnosed FASD on the lives of youth in detention as an important public health issue. There was some evidence about FASD prevalence in justice from other countries but not yet from our own. Our team’s interest in justice and FASD was already established through FASD research and advocacy with justice professionals. Given current misunderstandings and lack of knowledge about FASD, we wanted to obtain evidence on which to base advocacy for FASD and youth justice.
Read full article
How do you envision your research contributing to the broader field or addressing real-world issues? Our research provides: Insights into the extent of FASD and other neurodevelopmental conditions within the juvenile justice system Evidence for use in submissions to Royal Commissions, Senate Inquiries, federal and state legislative reform Information for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders about the urgent need for targeted assessment processes, interventions and support services for individuals affected by FASD in detention settings Evidence for education of justice professionals and developing more effective strategies in identifying, managing, and supporting youth with FASD, thereby improving outcomes and, ultimately, reducing recidivism rates Opportunities for discussions and the development of new knowledge about cultural understandings of disability - important for the engagement and uptake of health interventions and treatments Avenues for the development of new and innovative ways to work with Indigenous (and child protection) justice-involved children, young people and their families and communities globally- a real- world global issue for Indigenous people Contributions to wider fields such as health, health care and education services and systems The evidence from our research is already contributing to addressing real-world issues within Australia through these and other means. Our research also reaches beyond Australia. One example is that this work was able to be given as evidence to the Waitangi Tribunal of Aotearoa New Zealand to argue for improved and equitable services for Māori in Aotearoa NZ living with FASD. It has also helped researchers gain a grant to replicate the work in New Zealand. Sadly, however, there is still a long way to go, including in the juvenile justice setting in which this research was originally conducted.
What motivated you to publish your work in an open access format?
The decision to publish our research in an open access format was driven by a commitment to maximise the accessibility and impact of our findings. By opting for open access publication, we aim to ensure that our research is freely available to a wide audience, including policymakers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and affected communities. We believe that open access publishing aligns with the principles of transparency, inclusivity, and knowledge dissemination, facilitating greater collaboration and innovation in addressing complex societal challenges. It provides the findings to all services providers and all interested parties rather than a paid service for academics only. We want outputs to reach those who will be able to use them most – not kept within academia. What advice would you give to other researchers who are considering publishing their work in open access formats for the first time? For researchers considering publishing their work in open access formats for the first time, we would encourage a thorough exploration of available publishing options and careful consideration of the associated costs and licensing terms. Choosing reputable open access journals or platforms that uphold rigorous peer review standards and provide clear guidance on licensing and copyright issues is important. Additionally, researchers should familiarise themselves with funding opportunities or institutional support for open access publishing, as well as alternative models such as author pays or institutional memberships. Researches should consider including the costs of open access publishing in their grant applications. Finally, we would recommend engaging with the open access community and seeking advice from colleagues who have experience in this area to ensure a smooth and successful publishing process. Read full article
“We want outputs to reach those who will be able to use them most – not kept within academia.” Emeritus Professor Carol Bower Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia
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