Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Screening/Diagnosis

Programs that conduct a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation to determine whether an individual prenatally exposed to alcohol has developed symptoms of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (also known as "Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder"). A person with FASD might have abnormal facial features, small head size, shorter than average height, low body weight, poor coordination, hyperactivity, difficulty paying attention, poor memory, difficulty in school (especially with math), learning disabilities, speech and language delays, intellectual disability or low IQ, poor reasoning and judgment skills, sleep and sucking problems as a baby, vision and hearing problems and/or problems with the heart, kidneys or bones. FASD is an umbrella term for a number of diagnosable conditions: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pFAS) and Neurobehavioral Disorder associated with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (ND-PAE). It is known as a "hidden disability" because most individuals affected by FASD are not diagnosed until adolescence or adulthood, if at all. School-aged children with fetal alcohol-related problems are usually only identified when they are referred for a learning disability or an attention deficit disorder. If clinicians who see children for routine check-ups can identify FASD early, intervention approaches can minimize the potential impact and prevent secondary disabilities.