Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

Partial Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (pFAS)

• FASD is a result of alcohol exposure during pregnancy that can affect the developing brain
• FASD is often referred to as a “hidden” or “invisible” disability because most people affected have no noticeable physical features.
• Manitoba has about 130 FASD-related births per year
• About 15 percent of Manitoba women report consuming alcohol while pregnant (Source: Family screening data)

The FASD Network was announced in September 2009. The goal is to increase accessibility to FASD diagnostic services throughout the province. The Network will build diagnostic capacity throughout the province. Manitoba Health and Changes for Children have provided funding. All 11 RHAs are part of the Network.

There are seven regional FASD Coordinators in Manitoba who:

• Receive referrals for children and youth living in their regions
• Complete initial screening to determine eligibility
• Assist families / legal guardians with information gathering and completion of forms
• Send completed intake information to the Manitoba FASD Centre
• Provide support and information to families while awaiting assessment
• Attend assessments as needed
• Assist with follow-up planning after diagnosisAssist with accessing community resources following diagnosis

To discuss a potential referral of a child for an FASD assessment, contact:

spicklykdear@irha.mb.ca

A referral form needs to be completed and sent to the Interlake RHA Coordinator. Referrals are accepted from a variety of sources including:

• Families
• Physicians
• Health care professionals
• Child and Family Services
• Schools
• Other community professionals
• Families can directly contact the coordinator to initiate a request for assessment.

Criteria for Assessment include known prenatal alcohol exposure; consent of a child's or adolescent's legal guardian, identified developmental and learning concerns Once a Referral is Received

The FASD coordinator contacts the legal guardian and assesses eligibility. An intake package is sent to the legal guardian. The FASD coordinator is available to meet with families and/or schools to assist with gathering required information. Families may be asked to forward copies of any earlier assessments that have been completed. The Coordinator forwards the completed intake package to the diagnostic centre for determining the assessment plan. A letter is sent to the family and source of referral outlining the assessment plan.

Assessments for the Interlake RHA take place at the Manitoba FASD Centre in Winnipeg using a multidisciplinary team approach in accordance with the FASD Canadian National Guidelines. The assessment team is composed of :

• Physicians (Developmental Pediatricians, Geneticists)
• Psychologist
• Speech Language Pathologist
• Occupational Therapist
• Social WorkerRegional Diagnostic Coordinator

One of three assessment teams will be assigned: preschool team, school-age team, adolescent team. Assessments are not available for individuals over 18 years old.

The assessment team sends a multidisciplinary report to the legal guardian and others, with consent of the legal guardian, addressing diagnosis, recommendations, descriptions of strengths and weaknesses

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