When Trauma Meets Prenatal Exposure
A Holistic Assessment & Treatment Approach for Complex Behavioral, Sensory, and Emotional Challenges
- Speaker:
- Raun Melmed, MD
- Duration:
- 1 Hour 30 Minutes
- Format:
- Audio and Video
- Copyright:
-
Apr 24, 2026
- Product Code:
- POS150673
- Media Type:
- Digital Seminar
Description
When children with FAS, NAS, ADHD, or ASD also face significant social adversity or trauma, the effects are magnified. This session offers a holistic, trauma-informed lens to understand these overlapping pathways while giving you practical tools to support resilience and healing.
You’ll learn:
- How prenatal substance exposure and trauma compound developmental challenges
- Symptoms of underlying neurodevelopmental and emotional needs
- Strategies to connect behavior with its drivers – from sensory and executive challenges to overlooked health needs
- Family partnerships to create safe, stable environments that foster recovery and growth
Credit
Speaker
Raun Melmed, MD Related seminars and products
Raun D. Melmed, MD, is a developmental-behavioral pediatrician specializing in children with trauma and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, ADHD, and Fragile X. He is co-founder and medical director of the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center, founded the Melmed Center in Scottsdale, Arizona and now directs developmental medicine consultants.
Raun has set up nationally recognized physician training programs for the early identification of infants and toddlers with developmental and behavioral disorders. He is an investigator of early diagnostic tools along with novel psychopharmacological and digital therapeutic modalities for the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders.
He is the author of The ST4 Mindfulness Series for Children including topics such as ADHD, Screen Time Management, Anxiety, Emotion Explosiveness, Socialization, Bullying and Self Esteem, all published by Familius.
He is also the author of books for families including Autism: Early Intervention; Autism and the Extended Family; and Autism Parent Handbook: Beginning with the End Goal in Mind.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Raun Melmed is the co-founder and medical director of Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center and has an employment relationship with Phoenix Children's Hospital. He is on faculty at Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, Creighton Medical School, and First Place Academy. He receives grants from Zynerba and Curemark and is a stock holder with Cortica. Dr. Melmed receives royalties as a published author. He receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. All relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations have been mitigated.
Non-financial: Dr. Raun Melmed is a fellow with the American Academy of Pediatrics. He serves on the Arizona Advisory Board Division of Developmental Disabilities and is an advisor with First Place Academy.
Additional Info
Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)Access never expires for this product.
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Additional CE Info
For a more detailed outline that includes times or durations of time, if needed, please contact cepesi@pesi.com.
Objectives
- Explain how prenatal exposure and trauma interact to exacerbate developmental, regulatory, and emotional vulnerabilities in children.
- Identify behavioral, sensory, and executive indicators that point to underlying neurodevelopmental or trauma-driven needs.
- Select integrated interventions and caregiver collaboration strategies tailored for children with trauma and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Outline
The Intersection of Trauma and Prenatal Substance Exposure
- How FAS, NAS, and social adversity compound negative effects
- Why trauma magnifies regulation, attention, and social-emotional difficulties
- Common misinterpretations: when symptoms are seen as willful misbehavior
Vulnerability and Risk Factors
- High rates of ACEs: abuse, neglect, and relational disruptions
- Cognitive and emotional challenges that increase vulnerability to trauma
- Intergenerational trauma and its impact on child development
Clinical Implications and Intervention
- Trauma-informed assessment: recognizing behavior as a symptom
- Strategies for addressing co-occurring conditions (ASD, ADHD, anxiety, depression)
- Practical interventions: SEEK, motivational interviewing, EMDR, somatic and creative therapies
- Building safe, stable environments in collaboration with families and caregivers
- Limitations of the research and potential risks
Pathways to Healing
- Supporting attachment and self-regulation
- Strengthening self-perception and resilience
- Tailoring holistic interventions across multiple developmental pathways
Target Audience
- Licensed Clinical/Mental Health Counselors
- Marriage & Family Therapists
- Psychologists
- Social Workers
- Addiction Professionals
- Case Managers
Reviews
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