How do i know if my child has FASD

How do i know if my child has FASD
   • How do i know if my child has FASD  

My name is Anne Russell and I’m from the Russell Family Fetal Alcohol Disorders Association. The rffada is a national organisation providing support and information on FASD to anyone who is interested. We also lobby the government and raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol and pregnancy.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOUR CHILD HAS FASD?
It’s unlikely that you would be going to your doctor to talk to him or her about FASD unless you had it in the back of your mind that your child has this condition.
What has given you this idea?
Have you done some research online? There’s so much information on the Internet that you can become quite confused. Is it okay to drink a bit or is abstinence the best option?
What to take to your doctor to help?
o The completed screening tool
o Whether you have confirmed maternal alcohol exposure
o Any other assessments that have been made
o Your child’s academic, social, medical, criminal, and employment [if relevant] history
In Australia if you are a foster carer and do not have information about your child’s prenatal exposure, it may to be difficult to find a GP or paediatrician prepared to make a diagnosis without confirmed prenatal exposure to alcohol. Keep trying.
WHERE CAN I GO TO GET SUPPORT?
There are clinics in Perth, Gold Coast, Sydney, the Sunshine Coast, and Broome at the moment and medical professionals are becoming more aware of the condition. You can also go to our Facebook groups – Russell Family Fetal Alcohol Disorders Association and I can point you in the right direction.
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
It’s true for many conditions no matter how complex they are that if you want to know how to help your child, learn as much as possible about the condition.
Learn about the interventions that other people have found to work. There are environmental accommodations that can be utilised but combine it with your own understanding of your child because every child who has been prenatally exposed to alcohol is different.
Our video next Friday will be about practice and wisdom-based interventions, strategies and accommodations for people with FASD.
If you are interested in quality professional training on alcohol and pregnancy and FASD, please contact me on 0412 550 540
How do i know if my child has FASD
   • How do i know if my child has FASD