FAQs

	Q1: I work as a youth counsellor outside of Vancouver. Where can I find resources to increase my knowledge and to support children with FAS? The asantecentre.org website provides links to many resources. Our "Books, Publications & other Training Materials" section and "Intro to FASD & Prenatal Alcohol Substance Abuse" are both good places to start. You can also call the Centre, and we can e-mail or fax a resource list to you.
	Q2: I have three foster children whom I suspect have FASD. I know that getting an assessment is important. I also live in a remote area and have limited access to mental health services. How can I explain to ministry staff and school staff why diagnosis is so important, and is there any way to speed up the assessment process? Diagnosis and assessment are vital to opening opportunities for assistance and support for care givers. Establishing awareness and providing directions and guidance for intervention are among the benefits. Continue to ask for support from social workers and the Ministry. For anyone who is unaware of the importance and benefits of an assessment, ask them to read our "Discussion on The Importance of Diagnosis". Regional Health Authorities in partnership with the Provincial Health Services Authority provide multi-disciplinary assessment services for children with complex developmental behavioural conditions, including children who may have FASD. Contact information for your region can be found at: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/fasd/assessment.htm In addition, as a non-profit organization, The Asante Centre's Benefactors, Funders and Partners make assessment services possible. However, we must charge a fee-for-service in order to cover our costs. Therefore, our waiting list is much shorter than some other assessment facilities. Furthermore, for some clients in remote locations, we are able to perform assessments through our outreach initiative. Please contact us to find out more about our assessment wait list, our fee-for-service and our availability for outreach to your community.
	Q3: How do I order the book Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and the Criminal Justice System? Please contact us to receive an order form by fax, or download a copy from our website.
	Q4: How much does an assessment cost? Assessments provided through the Regional Health Authorities are available to children under the age of 18 without cost. Contact information can be found at: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/fasd/assessment.htm The costs associated with an assessment can vary greatly depending on the assessment level. The assessment level is determined by a series of factors, including the age of the client, the reason for testing (for example, pre-adoption, legal or court cases, etc.) and whether the client has had any previous testing or assessment. The Asante Centre is a non-profit agency, which means we are a charitable organization. We are funded through the Ministry for Children and Family Development, as well as other granting organizations including the Ministry of Health (which provides contracted funding for our paediatrician). However, these grants do not cover the full cost of the assessment. Therefore it is necessary for us to charge a fee for service, dependent on the assessment level. Exact costs are determined as a client proceeds through the initial referral process. The centre is committed to working to find continued funding in order to keep assessment costs to a minimum.
	Q5: Will MSP cover the cost of assessment? No. Our doctor is covered by alternate payment sessionals through the Ministry of Health.
	Q6: Do you provide assessment and diagnosis services for adults? Yes, however, the fee structure is different than for children. Please contact us to find out more.
	Q7: What is your referral process? Click here to read about our referral process.
	Q8: Do I need a doctor's referral to have an assessment done? Yes, but only after the initial Asante Centre referral process has been completed.
	Q9: I suspect that my grandchild/stepchild has FASD. I know that the mother drank through pregnancy but will not admit it, how do I get an assessment? Although this is a frequently asked question, it is by no means easily answered. The most important thing to know is that only a child's legal guardian can request an assessment. If you are not the child's legal guardian, there are some sensitive issues that may arise, including discussing alcohol with the mother or confirming a history of alcohol exposure. Please contact us if you would like to have a confidential discussion about your particular situation.
	Q10: My child was diagnosed in the past. Can I get a re-diagnosis for my child? Although mis-diagnosis is possible, once a diagnosis for FASD is made, it is unlikely that a subsequent diagnosis by another physician would be any different. On the other hand, if your child's abilities have not been recently assessed, then you may want to set up an appointment for an assessment. The key to this question is understanding the difference between an assessment and a diagnosis. In other words, it is unlikely that what you want is a re-diagnosis (unless it is a second opinion that you are after). It is more likely that you want to find out more about your child's specific abilities and problem areas. This might be particularly true for you if the child has never had an FASD assessment by a multidiscipline team. This means that each member of the assessment team is a specialist in his or her field, and can provide valuable insight into all aspects of your child's abilities. Staff at our centre is concerned for the ongoing needs of children who have special problems. Thus, as part of the assessment process, we work to develop a coordinated care plan for your child. This plan is established to help manage the child in the home, medically, at school and in the community.
	Q11: Will alcohol affect my breast milk? The American Academy of Pediatricians suggests that while nursing, mothers should avoid drinking alcohol because it can pass through their milk to the baby. Furthermore, The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development conducted a study in which they detected a significant difference in motor development at one year of age in those babies subjected regularly to alcohol through breast milk. Many health professionals recommend that the best course of action is simply not to drink at all while breastfeeding. Currently, there is little research available on the effects of alcohol on breast milk. However, if this is what we know about caffeine (according to the Centre for Addiction & Mental Health), it seems wise to take similar precautions with alcohol. "Nursing mothers should be aware that caffeine is excreted in breast milk. Small amounts of caffeine have a greater effect on children [than adults] because of their smaller body size. ?Pregnant women are advised to take as little [caffeine] as possible to reduce possible risks to their baby's health." Taken from DoYouKnowAboutCaffeine.pdf.
	Q12: How can I tell if my child has FASD? Only a physician can diagnose FASD, but you can read about some of the common characteristics of FASD in the About Fetal Alcohol Syndrome section of our website.
	Q13: Do you provide Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) testing services? Yes.
	Q14: Do you provide IQ testing services? Yes.
	Q15: Do you provide speakers for professional days, nurses' conference, etc.? Yes, our professional team has been called to speak on many locations. These sessions are done on a fee for service basis. Please contact us to find out more.
	Q16: Can we get a tour of your Centre? Absolutely. Please call us to make an appointment.
	Q17: I am a nursing/psychology/etc. student and would like more information about FASD and your Centre. Please browse our website. We try to keep our site updated with links to the most current and valuable resources available. We are also working hard to develop our own resources. So check back often? our educational resources are uploaded as they are developed. Or click here to sign up for our e-mail list. We send out notifications of new resources on our site about once a month.
	Q18: I am a student doing a project on FASD. Am I able to arrange to interview someone at your Centre about FASD and the services you provide? The Asante Centre is thrilled that students are taking the time to learn about FASD, and we want to encourage their learning. Furthermore, we see training and education as a key component as the centre's mandate. We fulfil this part of our mandate through conferences, workshops, web resources, and committee work. However, we are unable at this time to dedicate the resources required to provide interviews for student projects.
	Q19: I am a caregiver/parent and cannot cope. Who can help me? The Asante Centre provides family support for those inquiring about diagnosis and assessment, and well as those who need pre-diagnosis support. We provide family support throughout the assessment process, including follow-up support in the post-diagnosis time frame. Besides the Asante Centre, there are some excellent organizations working locally (and nationally) to support families who are facing the challenges associated with FASD: The FAS/E Support Network of B.C.: Education, information, support & consultation services for families, professionals and the broader community on identification and intervention pertaining to alcohol related birth defects. #340 - 20465 Douglas Crescent Langley, B.C. V3A 4B6 Tel: 604-607-7715 Fax: 604-607-7751 Email: mailto: info@fetalalcohol.com Website: www.fetalalcohol.com Adoptive Families Association of BC: The AFABC's mission is to promote and support adoption. Their services include, among other things, facilitating support groups. Website: http://www.bcadoption.com/ If you live elsewhere in Canada, you can download the CCSA's Directory of FAS/FAE Information and Support Services in Canada to find organizations and supports in your area.
	Q20: My son's court date is soon. What can I do to ensure that those involved know about FASD and its implications on the judicial process? Inform your lawyer of the resources available on FASD and the justice system. One of our most popular resources is the book "FAS and the Criminal Justice System". We also are working hard to create and provide access to other legal resources relating to FASD. Click here to browse the articles and papers we have available on our website.
	Q21: I am an advocate for an adult with FASD. Do you provide support services? Yes. Please see the answer to question 19. You can also call us to discuss your particular situation.
	Q22: Do you conduct workshops and training seminars for caregivers for children with prenatal alcohol-related problems? Yes, we hold workshops on a variety of topics ranging from home schooling to FASD & the criminal justice system. Click here to see a list of upcoming workshops. Although we try to keep our events pages comprehensive and up-to-date, it is possible that we may not list every event that you may be interested in attending. You can check these other events listings: CCSA Calendar of Events Adoptive Families Assoc. Calendar Prevention Source BC