FASD United Features Dr. Sarah Mattson's Research
Publication: BRAIN-online: An online cognitive and behavioral screening tool for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Distinguished Faculty Awards Video
FASD United Highlighting Dr. Mattson's Research
Dr. Sarah Mattson Received the Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Faculty Contributions
Publication: Validation of the ND-PAE Diagnosis in Children with Heavy Prenatal Alcohol Exposure
This paper describes research that validates the ND-PAE diagnosis which is included in the appendix of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM). This paper and others provide support for inclusion of this diagnosis in future editions of the DSM. The paper was published in Child Psychiatry and Human Development and was available online in July 2024. Click to see the paper on PubMed.
Publication: Validation of the FASD-Tree as a screening tool for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
President's Award!
Kayla Neutel, an Undergraduate Research Assistant, gave her talk titled “Cognitive Impairment and Behavior Problems in Children with and without Prenatal Alcohol Exposure” at SDSU’s student research symposium S3 in February 2026. She won the President’s Award!
ARCS Scholarship Awarded!
Christina Veziris was awarded the ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) Scholarship. The ARCS Foundation is a women-led organization that advances science and technology by providing financial awards to academically outstanding students in STEM. Christina is a student in the SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology and CBT Researcher.
Undergraduate Researcher Caitlyn Brucks Presents at Student Research Symposium
Caitlyn presented research examining the association between alcohol consumption and COVID-19 related stress in undergraduate students. The poster was presented at the SDSU Student Research Symposium in March 2023.
Seed Grant Awarded!
The Internet Study of COVID-19, Alcohol and Neurocognition (iCAN study) was recently awarded a seed grant of $7500 from SDSU. This funding will be used for subject incentives for the iCAN study.
Poster Presentations!
In February 2026 Undergraduate Research Assistants Malia Shaghasi and Mia Scher presented their research at SDSU’s student research symposium S3! Malia examined the associations between prenatal alcohol exposure and sex on youth agression. Mia examined the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure and child protective services involvement on social behavior.
F31 Grant Awarded!
Riley Felicicchia, a student in the SDSU/UCSD Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology and CBT Researcher was awarded a Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31) entitled, “Exploring Risk and Resilience Factors in Families of Children with FASD: A Mixed Methods Approach.” With this award, Riley will use a mixed methods approach to identify postnatal risk and resilience factors in the family environment and explore the impact of these risk factors on developmental outcomes in order to inform targeted interventions that address the unique needs of children who have been prenatally exposed to alcohol and their families.
Publication: Development and validation of a postnatal risk score that identifies children with prenatal alcohol exposure
BRAIN-online: An online cognitive and behavioral screening tool for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
🌟 FASD Awareness Day - September 9th 🌟
Today, September 9th, we shine a light on FASD and those living with them. All of us can help increase awareness, support, and work towards a more FASD-informed world.
https://nofaspolicycenter.org/how-to-issue-an-fasd-awareness-month-proclamation/
This study from @NIAAAnews expanded the assessment criteria for Neurobehavioral Disorder Associated with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (ND-PAE) to a sample with a wider age range and heavier alcohol exposure.
Learn more at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38410428/
Honored to spend #FASDAwarenessDay with these two legends.
Don’t know about #FASD? Head over to @FASDUnited