Long-term psychoeducational outcome of prenatal substance exposure.

Abstract

T here is major national concern about the long-term outcome of prenatal substance exposure, particularly as it affects school performance and special education placement. Recent media coverage predicting that the influx of children exposed to “crack” cocaine will put an “enormous strain on an educational system that is already overburdened and underachieving” has made this epidemic even more visible.’ Despite this heightened awareness, many questions remain unanswered. Knowledge is still required concerning who will need special services, what services should be available, and at what age they should be offered. Of further concern is how and when to implement early intervention services for substance-exposed infants that will prevent subsequent psychoeducational problems. In this article, we take an epidemiological perspective in examining the occurrence of psychoeducational disorders in substance-exposed populations, the need for childhood educational interventions, and their potential effectiveness. Three major issues will be addressed: first, what is known about the long-term outcome of substance-exposed infants; second, where the major gaps are in our knowledge; and, third, what major research strategies need to be implemented to study this high-risk population effectively.