Mary J. O’Connor, PhD

Title of Presentation: Not Just a Pretty Face: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Prevalent and Underdiagnosed

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
• Describe the diagnostic and developmental features of individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
• Describe promising approaches to treatment

Biosketch:

Dr. O’Connor was past Director of Training and of Research at the UCLA Tarjan Center UCEDD.  She has dedicated her career to understanding the consequences and treatment of prenatal alcohol exposure, including the prevention of alcohol consumption in pregnant women, intervention with children and adolescents with FASD, neurochemical correlates of prenatal alcohol exposure, and medical education on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.   All of her recent work has been on collaborative national and international initiatives with the long-term goal of developing best practice models for dissemination.  Dr. O’Connor has served on multiple national task forces and expert panels and was a primary author of the DSM 5 diagnostic guidelines for Neurobehavioral Disorder Associated with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure.  Dr. O’Connor’s work in the field exemplifies her dedication to children and families who have been touched by the consequences of prenatal exposure to alcohol, and earned her a place in the Tom and Linda Daschle FASD Hall of Fame.  In 2023, she was awarded the Henry L. Rosett Award for outstanding long-term contributions to the study and treatment of FASD.