How to Diagnose Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Some terms that people with fetal alcohol are diagnosed with are:

• Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS)
• Fetal alcohol effects (FAE)
• Static Encephalopathy (Alcohol Exposure Unknown)
• Alcohol Related Neurodevelopment Disorder (ARND)

The specialist who diagnoses children or adults with fetal alcohol will specifically measure development in the following four areas:

Growth Deficiency – as prenatal alcohol exposure can effect growth, height or weight below the 10th percentile, either at birth, or later in life, can be indicative of such exposure. A small head size (microcephaly) can also be the result of prenatal alcohol exposure, and is also used as a diagnostic tool.

FAS Features – certain abnormalities of the eyes, nose, upper lip, and space between the nose and mouth are specifically measured by trained specialists to determine the presence of FAS facial features.

Central Nervous System Damage – the specialists will measure cognitive development, physical development, social development, and the development of language in order to determine significant deviation from typical abilities. A scattered intelligence, where a child is of typical or advanced ability in some things, but significantly delayed in others (often in the same areas), is indicative of prenatal alcohol exposure.

Prenatal Alcohol Exposure – it is useful to be able to confirm prenatal alcohol exposure for diagnosis, however, in the case of adoption, or denial on the part of the birth parent, alcohol exposure is often unknown.

Outlook on Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

As Diane Malbin discusses in her book, Trying Differently Rather Than Trying Harder (Oregon Dept. of Human Services, 2002), although prenatal alcohol is a lifelong disability, there is still hope. Early diagnosis, a nurturing and accepting environment, unconditional friendships, life mentorship; and special education can help to improve the quality of life these individuals experience.

Notes: FCbinderMD

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EditText of this page (last edited September 2, 2010)