Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Evaluation

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are a group of lifelong conditions that can happen when a baby is exposed to alcohol before birth. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is one type of FASD. These conditions affect each child differently and may cause learning and thinking problems, differences in facial features, growth problems, or hearing and vision problems. Some children have fewer symptoms than others.

An early diagnosis can help your child get the care and resources they need. An evaluation can still be helpful even if your child is not diagnosed with an FASD.

Evaluation

If your child is younger than 3 years old, the care team can help support their growth and development by giving you information and resources and helping you connect with interventions, if needed. You will need to wait until your child is at least 3 years old for a full evaluation.

For children age 3 and older, the evaluation has 4 parts:

1. Intake Visit

You’ll meet with a neuropsychology provider in person or by telehealth. They will talk with you about your concerns and get information about your child’s background.

2. Neuropsychological Testing

After the intake visit, your child may have an in-person neuropsychological evaluation. This will include:

• Tests your child does on their own.
• Forms you and others who know your child well will complete.

This evaluation looks at your child’s areas of strength and areas where they may need support, including their:

• Attention, memory, and other thinking skills.
• Ability to manage emotions and behaviors.
• Ability to do everyday activities on their own.

3. Medical Evaluation

On a different day, your child will meet with the Genetics team, who will:

• Measure your child’s height, weight, and head size.
• Look at your child’s facial features.
• Check for other medical concerns or physical differences.

The team may talk with you about an FASD diagnosis. Sometimes, more information is needed before a diagnosis can be made. The team may also suggest genetic testing.

4. Feedback Appointment

The care team will meet with you to review:

• Your child’s strengths and needs
• Any diagnoses
• Recommended services and supports

Sometimes this feedback visit happens before the medical evaluation. If this happens, the neuropsychology provider will contact you after the medical evaluation. They will explain any changes to your child’s diagnosis or recommendations.

Resources

Special Education Services and Supports

If you have concerns about your child’s learning or development, contact their school district in writing. Ask them for a Multi-Factored Evaluation (MFE). An MFE can help determine if your child qualifies for services like an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

You can start this process before your child is seen in the FASD Clinic. These resources can help you get started:

• Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF): Provides sample letters and forms for requesting an evaluation
• Center for Parent Information and Resources: Explains how to request an evaluation for special education services

Websites

• FASD United: Provides resources for people with FASDs and their families. Family navigators can also help you connect with services and supports in your area
• The American Academy of Pediatrics: Provides educational information about FASDs

Books

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: A Guide for Families and Communities by Ann Streissguth
• Try Differently Rather than Harder: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Third Edition by Diane Malbin
• Your Kid’s Gonna Be Okay: Building the Executive Function Skills Your Child Needs in the Age of Attention by Michael Delman, M.Ed.
• Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents by Russell Barkley, PhD
• Skills Training for Struggling Kids by Michael Bloomquist

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