FASD assessment services are conveniently situated at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, catering to individuals residing in the Edmonton and surrounding area. This comprehensive facility extends its services to children, youth, and adults, ensuring a holistic approach to assessment and diagnosis for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
Pediatric Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Clinical Services
Location: Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital
The Pediatric Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) outpatient clinical service assesses and diagnoses children who have been exposed to alcohol before birth.
The Pediatric FASD outpatient service provides assessment and diagnosis of children, 8-17 years of age, who have been exposed to alcohol before birth. The assessment takes 1.5 days. On the afternoon of the second day, results and recommendations are provided to the child’s caregivers, which includes a written summary.
The clinic provides:
- links to community partners for support as needed,
- information as needed to the community and families,
- training for other healthcare providers about how to assess and diagnose fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), and / or
- an opportunity for participation in research
Phone Number and Address
Click here for more information.
Adult Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Assessment Clinic
Who is the Clinic for?
The Adult FASD Assessment Clinic is for adults from the Edmonton Zone who are experiencing significant difficulties suspected to be the result of prenatal alcohol exposure. The problems the individual is experiencing are not minor in nature or the result of other problems such as alcohol and drug use or untreated mental illness although these problems may co-exist with an FASD diagnosis. These individuals may have difficulty with education, employment, and independent living.
*Any previous assessments should be considered as the individual may be able to use those assessments to access supports and funding such as AISH and may not require an FASD assessment.
How can an individual access the clinic? Who can refer?
A referral is needed and wait times will vary. When considering a referral, every effort should be made to address potential causes for the individual’s challenges such as treatment for addiction and mental health, treatment for ADHD (if previously diagnosed), and accessing supports and services to help the individual achieve stability. Any assessments that were completed should be included with the referral.
Service providers from an agency or service associated with the Edmonton Fetal Alcohol Network Society (EFAN) and health care and other professionals can refer their clients for an assessment. The individual will require a Representative to assist throughout the assessment process. The Representative will be the primary contact and must be able to support their clients throughout the assessment process and be able to provide follow-up.
* The purpose of the Representative is to ensure the client is provided the best opportunity to apply the recommendations resulting from the assessment to their life.
Who is involved?
The assessment team includes a Coordinator, a Neuropsychologist, a Psychometrist, a Registered Nurse, a Speech-language Pathologist; a Psychiatrist; and a Social Worker. During the assessment process the team will work with clients, their Representative, and other support people such as family members, and any professionals or service providers they may be working with.
What happens before an appointment?
Confirmation of prenatal alcohol exposure is needed before the assessment can take place. The clinic coordinator can assist with this.
Birth, health, education records as well as other relevant documents such as adoption, mental health, and social service records are required. Consent will need to be provided by clients for these records to be obtained.
When all of the records and required documentation are received, the Representative will be contacted to schedule an appointment.
What happens in the assessment process?
The assessment will consist of at least two sessions. More time may be required for consultation with a physician or other health care professionals before a diagnosis can be made. Clients, their family members or caregivers, and their Representatives will be interviewed and asked to fill out some questionnaires.
Clients will complete about six hours of testing to look at their thinking skills. The assessment will also include a brief health screen, and the nurse will take pictures to look at facial features that are sometimes seen in individuals with prenatal alcohol exposure. The clinic will consult with other specialists as needed to consider past or current health concerns that could impact the assessment.
How will the results of the assessment be provided?
Clients may or may not receive an FASD diagnosis; however, the results of the assessment will be shared with them, their Representatives, their physician, and anyone else they choose to include. Clients (and their support people) will have an opportunity to learn about their strengths and areas of difficulty. A management plan to address their current needs will be developed and will include linkage to services and supports. The Representative will help with the implementation of the management plan.
Click here for the information/intake package.