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FAS is a medical diagnosis made by a physician with specialized training. It is best made in consultation with a multidisciplinary team. Although there can be great difficulty in determining diagnosis, the benefits are considerable. Some benefits of having an assessment for a child with FAS include:
Provides directions and guidance for intervention. Many of the difficulties presented by FAS have a good chance of being improved with appropriate interventions.
Opens opportunities for assistance and support for care givers (e.g. government-based resources and services).
Expedites interventions. The earlier the diagnosis and interventions are put into place, the greater the likelihood for the reduction of associated symptoms (school disruptions, mental health problems, etc).
Provides reasons for caregivers and those affected to become more knowledgeable about the disability and the appropriate methods for assisting the child or themselves more effectively in their development.
Helps explain the child's behaviour, thereby reducing frustration.
Reveals (through physical examination) additional important conditions that need to be treated, such as cardiac problems, seizures, etc.
Helps establish realistic expectations about what the child may achieve.
Establishes awareness. The assessment can be a positive turning point in the repairing of relationships. Knowing that the cause of the problems is not bad parenting, the caregiver can experience personal healing - they are not to blame.
Helps the caregiver to better know the child�s strengths and weaknesses in the following areas:
- Cognition (IQ).
- Achievement.
- Executive functioning (planning, abstract reasoning, etc.).
- Memory (spatial, visual, auditory) learning.
- Information processing (visual, auditory).
- Language skills.
- Social skills and adaptive behaviours.Maladaptive behaviours (lying, stealing, fire-setting, sexually intrusive). Attention and or activity level. Neurological soft signs (gross motor, fine motor, sensory abnormalities).
- It acts as a tool for legal professionals to use in court and custody issues.
Furthermore, early diagnosis of FAS is a strong preventative measure for all secondary disabilities of FAS (i.e. mental health problems, disrupted school experience, trouble with the law, confinement, inappropriate sexual behaviour, alcohol and drug problems, and problems with employment and dependent living).
A mother's response to an Asante Centre evaluation:
Question: How did you feel about the assessment / diagnostic process?
Response: "I feel this assessment was the best thing we ever did for (our child), and for us too. We learned a lot about her and ways to handle different situations that come up daily. It was needed years ago."
A few weeks after the assessment was completed and the community strategies had been implemented, the parent added: "This assessment has made a great difference at the school level. The teachers now listen to us."
FASD impacts individuals, families and entire communities. The Asante Centre encourages you to share this information with those advocating for a child, youth or adult with this disability.