RESEARCH SUMMARY
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Improving outcomes for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
1. What is known about this issue?
FAST FACTS
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Without appropriate
diagnosis and support
individuals with FASD are
at increased risk of
experiencing mental health
problems, school
disruption, and
involvement with the
criminal justice system.
The earlier an individual
receives an FASD
diagnosis the better their
long-term outcomes are
likely to be.
Caregivers who we
interviewed reported a
current lack of services
and understanding of
FASD across health and
education systems in
Queensland.
With appropriate training,
existing health services in
Australia could diagnose
FASD and provide
appropriate supports and
interventions.
qfcc.qld.gov.au | talkingfamilies.qld.gov.au
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a term used to
indicate the range of conditions that can arise from prenatal
exposure to alcohol. The pattern of difficulties is somewhat
variable, but often includes impairments in learning and
memory, self-regulation (including executive functions),
social communication and adaptive skills. Additionally,
children with FASD often experience significant behavioural
difficulties that impact on their functioning at home, school
and in community settings. Consequently, individuals with
FASD are at a high-risk of experiencing secondary
conditions, such as mental health problems, school
disruption and involvement with the criminal justice system.
Recent estimates in the USA have reported FASD
prevalence of 24 to 48 per 1000 children. However, for
particular sub-populations (e.g., foster care and indigenous
communities) the rates have been found to be considerably
higher. Currently in Australia FASD is often unidentified or
misdiagnosed.
2. Why diagnosing FASD is important
FASD is a substantial public health concern, as it can
increase a person’s risk of poor educational attainment,
unemployment, involvement in the foster care system and
the criminal justice system. Importantly, research shows
that the earlier an individual receives a FASD diagnosis the
better their long-term outcomes.
3. What this research tells us?
The research we conducted provides a systematic review
of the interventions available for individuals with FASD.
Further, we provided the first Australian description of
diagnostic outcomes of children who attended a specialist
service established as part of the Gold Coat Health’s Child
Development Service. The research also involved
interviews with caregivers, who reported an empowering
assessment experience, but perceived systemic
discrimination in the failure to recognise FASD as a
disability. With training, existing Australian health services
could diagnose FASD. However, of approximately 100
child development teams in Australia, only 3 provide this
RESEARCH SUMMARY
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
IMPLICATIONS
FOR POLICY &
PRACTICE
OF efforts need
• AREAS
FASD prevention
to be expanded to educate all
RESEARCH
Australians about the potential
INTEREST
risks of consuming alcohol
during pregnancy.
• Availability of assessment,
diagnostic, and intervention
services needs to be
significantly increased across
Australia.
• Education needs to be
provided to all professionals
who may come into contact
with children with FASD so
that they are able to
appropriately support their
needs.
• FASD needs to be recognised
as part of the NDIS so that
individuals and families can
be provided with the support
they need.
4. Challenges in improving outcomes for
children with FASD
There is currently a lack of prevention, diagnostic and
intervention services available in Australia to prevent the
occurrence of FASD and to improve outcomes for those
children who have had prenatal alcohol exposure.
There is a lack of knowledge and understanding across
services that come into contact with individuals with FASD.
Significant education is required in the health, out-of-home
care, educational, and legal services so that professionals
will be able to support the needs of children with FASD with
whom they work.
Currently FASD is not recognised as a disability in
Australia. Consequently, unless a child has another
diagnosis (e.g., intellectual disability) they are not eligible
for any additional support at school and their family does
receive any additional financial support. This will change
when the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
comes into effect.
This summary paper was written by Natasha Reid from
Griffith University and is a summary of findings from the
papers below. [email protected]
READ FURTHER:
Reid, N., Dawe, S., Shelton, D., Harnett, P., Warner, J.,
Armstrong, E., LeGros, K., & O’Callaghan, F. (2015).
Systematic review of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
intervention across the life span. Alcoholism: Clinical and
Experimental Research, 39(12), 2283 -2295.
Chamberlain, K., Reid, N., Warner, J., Shelton, D., &
Dawe, S. (2017). A qualitative evaluation of caregivers’
experiences, understanding and outcomes following
diagnosis of FASD. Research in Developmental
Disabilities, 63, 99 – 106.
Reid, N., Shelton, D., Warner, J., O’Callaghan, F., & Dawe,
S. (2017). Profile of children diagnosed with a fetal alcohol
spectrum disorder: A retrospective chart review. Drug and
Alcohol Review.
qfcc.qld.gov.au | talkingfamilies.qld.gov.au