Diagnosis & Disability Working Group

Purpose: The Diagnosis and Disability Working Group will increase both the availability of diagnostic services and accessibility to resources for individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and their families.

Early diagnosis and access to appropriate services have been shown to be effective in decreasing the risk of secondary disabilities of FASD. The emotional costs, social implications and costs to society are decreased if FASD is diagnosed early. A diagnosis is important in understanding an individual with FASD and in developing an appropriate care plan.

Diagnosis of FASD requires an interdisciplinary team approach to assessment and intervention in order to provide a thorough assessment and understanding for this complex problem. Diagnostic teams typically include: a physician, a psychologist, an occupational therapist, a speech and language pathologist, and a social worker. The Diagnostic Guidelines were established in Canada in 2005.

COMPLETED WORK:

• “Creating a Foundation for FASD Diagnostic Capacity” report on current models of multidisciplinary/team diagnosis in Ontario
• Informed an Incidence Study: Just how common is FASD in Ontario?
• Parent involvement in the Diagnostic process
• Identify FASD-ready communities/teams
• Increased awareness of the Diagnostic Guidelines
• Terminology analysis for access to services based on diagnosis

CURRENT INITIATIVES:

• Evaluation of telemedicine diagnosis
• Training for community based diagnostic teams and diagnostic clinics
• Tracking and posting FASD clinics or teams