What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?

FAS is a birth defect syndrome characterized by poor growth, learning, and behavioral problems, and a unique cluster of facial features. FAS is caused by maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Not all children exposed to alcohol during gestation are born with FAS. The majority of individuals affected by prenatal alcohol exposure have the learning and behavioral problems, but not the facial features. The full spectrum of outcomes caused by prenatal alcohol exposure is called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).

Who does theĀ Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Diagnostic Clinic serve?

The FAS DPN Clinic provides FASD diagnostic evaluations to individuals of all ages (infants to adults) who have a confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure.

What happens during an evaluation at the FASD Diagnostic Clinic?

The clinical team includes a nurse practitioner, a psychologist, a speech-language pathologist, and an occupational therapist.

On the day of the appointment, the caregivers are interviewed by the psychologist while the patient is assessed by a speech-language pathologist and an occupational therapist. The patient will also meet with the psychologist and will have a medical exam with a nurse practitioner. After the interview and clinical examination, the clinic team meets to derive a diagnosis and establish referrals for treatment and services. The caregivers then meet with the clinic team to discuss the diagnosis and referrals.