FAQ’s about FASD Diagnosis and Assessment

The Australian Guidelines for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) supports practitioners in undertaking assessment and diagnosis of FASD in Australia.  

They are NHMRC approved, which means they meet the standard for clinical practice guidelines. They have been updated to include the voices of lived & living experience and reflect current research. 

The first Diagnostic Guidelines for FASD in Australia were developed in 2016. They were updated in 2020, and now again in 2025. Some of the key changes include: 

• Inclusion of voices from people with lived & living experience of FASD and caregivers  

• A new Indigenous FASD Framework  

• Updates to neurodevelopmental domains and related terminology  

• Recognition that FASD can be diagnosed across the lifespan, including adults  

• Introduction of the “at risk of FASD” category 
   

For a detailed summary of changes, please read the Summary of Changes from the 2016 Guide 

• Evidence of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), or the presence of three sentinel facial features, in the absence of confirmed PAE. 

• The presence of severe neurodevelopmental impairment in at least three areas of brain function. 

• The onset of this impairment must have been evident during childhood and early development, and significantly impact an individuals’ daily life and function 

• An individual’s presentation must not be better attributed to another disability or condition (e.g. genetic, postnatal, etc.).  

Yes – adults can be diagnosed with FASD too. The updated Guidelines continue the support of diagnosis across the lifespan, meaning adults are encouraged to be assessed. 

This is an important step toward understanding challenges that likely existed in childhood, were not recognised, and have continued into adulthood. 

No, you do not need to be reassessed.  

The updated Guidelines includes tools and language that help professionals write reports that are more accessible, easy to understand, and consistent, making it easier for families, educators, and support workers to take action. They may be used to help professionals better understand your needs and strengths. 

If an individual has confirmation of prenatal alcohol exposure and experiences some related challenges, but doesn’t meet the full diagnostic criteria, they may be considered “At Risk of FASD.” This terminology flags to clinicians that follow-up and re-assessment may be required. This may help individuals receive monitoring, support, and early intervention where needed.

A diagnosis can often be an important step in accessing supports through systems like the NDIS, Centrelink, education system, mental health services, or justice support programs.

Each system has its own eligibility requirements, but a clear diagnostic report based on the updated guidelines can help open doors. 

Yes – lived and living experience continues to be an essential part of the FASD Diagnostic Guidelines. The 2025 update includes 11 embedded statements from individuals with FASD, parents, and carers, sharing real experiences to guide professionals and improve understanding. 

These insights are woven throughout the Guidelines to ensure a more respectful, strengths-based, and person-centred approach. 

The updated guidelines promote a holistic, family-centered approach. Your voice matters. The guidelines emphasise shared decision-making, meaning you will be involved in the process and your insights into behaviour, history, and daily life will be considered during assessment and diagnosis. Clinicians are encouraged to: 

• Consider all aspects of a person’s life and context 

• Involve the individual and their family in decision-making 

• Value your experience, insights and knowledge as a caregiver  

• Focus on strengths as well as challenges  

• Work with you as a partner in the process 

The Indigenous FASD Framework supports culturally safe and respectful assessment and diagnosis of FASD for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It was developed in collaboration with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples, and offers hope and healing for all Australians living with FASD. 

The framework: 

• Embeds healing-informed, strengths-based approaches 

• Recognises the impact of colonisation and intergenerational trauma 

• Encourages two-way communication and connection to culture 

• Aims to improve access, reduce stigma, and guide all practitioners to provide more inclusive care. 

If you or the person you care for identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, you can ask your health provider if they are using the Indigenous FASD Framework and whether culturally responsive care is being provided. 

To learn more or view the Framework, visit: FASD Indigenous Framework PDF 

Please see a summary of some of the common behaviours and symptoms that individuals with FASD may experience across the lifespan: 

• Infants may have a low birth weight but not be premature; they might experience irritability, sensitivity to light, noises and/or touch, feeding problems and a failure to thrive. 

• Toddlers may exhibit memory problems, hyperactivity, a lack of fear, a poor sense of boundaries and impairment in gross or fine motor skills, which may result in poor balance or clumsiness. 

• Children may develop more slowly and have a difficult time learning and controlling their behaviours. Most children with FASD have developmental delays and they may also have intellectual impairment, although their IQ may be in the normal range (70–130). They may master a new task one day and not remember the next day. They may also have problems with attention span and/or hyperactivity (ADD/ADHD), have limited and/or appropriate communication skills and experience difficulties with learning such as the concepts required to do maths. A minority of children with FASD may also be small in stature, their faces may look different, and they may have vision and/or hearing problems. 

• Older children may have low self-esteem because of an awareness of “difference”, or because they have trouble keeping up or fitting in at school. Teenagers may exhibit the social skills of a 6–8-year-old; show poor impulse control; may not distinguish between appropriate public and private behaviours; may not follow rules. Concepts must be re-taught daily. Most become isolated because they find it difficult to sustain friendships with their peers and truanting from school, mixing with ‘unsafe’ individuals and groups, criminal behaviours, higher risk of alcohol and other substance use, and separation from family support can result. 
   

Please remember that these are indicators only – it takes a multidisciplinary team to diagnose FASD. If you have concerns, speak to your GP or pediatrician or contact NOFASD. You may choose to complete the FASD checklist or check out NOFASD’s common behaviours and features and characteristics across the lifespan. 

Speak to your Family Doctor, request referral to a FASD specialist from the FASD Hub’s service directory or call the NOFASD Helpline on 1800 860 613. 

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome was a diagnosis used from 1973 until the Australian guidelines came into effect in 2016. The correct terminology is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder or FASD: 

Fetal (the accepted spelling in the medical community. The word Foetal is not used. Some people think ‘fetal’ is an Americanisation of ‘foetal’, but this is not the case). 

Alcohol 

Spectrum (not syndrome) 

Disorder.

 A multidisciplinary team at a Specialist FASD Clinic is the best option for diagnosis, however, if you are not able to get to a clinic there are lots of other options available. Read our information on FASD diagnosis, check the FASD Hub’s service directory of professionals with FASD expertise, and contact NOFASD if you have more questions or need support with the diagnostic process. 

The FASD Hub maintains a service directory of professionals with FASD experience and expertise. If you cannot see your specialist listed in the directory, you are within your rights to ask them or their reception staff how much training they have had in FASD. FASD Hub host  self-paced eLearning modules for health professionals involved in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder assessment and diagnosis – you may choose to ask your service provider to look into these modules before commencing service. 

If you are having trouble finding a doctor, paediatrician, or other clinician who is FASD-informed contact NOFASD for advice. 

In Australia, the options are currently limited. At this time there are few diagnosticians, and access might depend on where you live in Australia, waiting lists, the age of your child, what school communities might offer, how well we can jointly advocate. Even so, we can try to connect you with professionals in your community. 

Assessment and diagnosis of FASD is important. Receiving an accurate diagnosis provides understanding for families, improved access to services, and better life outcomes for the individual. Research has found that early diagnosis of FASD is a protective factor, reducing the likelihood that your child will develop secondary conditions in addition to their FASD symptoms. Secondary conditions include difficulties such as poor mental health, trouble at school, trouble with the law and challenges living independently. A medical diagnosis of FASD will help anyone who is working with your child to better understand that their learning and behavioural issues are a symptom of FASD, and this helps when making plans to support your child with the challenges they face. 

 Your unique child will always be more than their diagnosis. Watch Myles Himmelreich, an adult with FASD, talk about being more than a label.  

 When children or adults have no visible signs of prenatal alcohol exposure, their problems may be wrongly blamed on poor parenting or on other disorders (for example Oppositional Defiant Disorder, ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder). FASD is a unique and complex disability, meaning the interventions that work best are often specific to FASD. See the FASD Hub’s information on why diagnosis is important. 

The practitioner who made the FASD diagnosis will be able to provide you with information and support on the next steps to take. If you would like to discuss this with someone, please contact the NOFASD helpline 1800 860 613 for a free and confidential chat. 

You will find valuable guidance in NOFASD’s parent/carer toolkit and other resources. You may have feelings of shock, grief, anger and a range of other emotions – these are all normal and it’s important that you take care of yourself. You may find these webinars on carer resilience or online support groups valuable. 

When you are ready, you and your family will benefit from learning more about FASD. You may like to contact NOFASD to request a support pack, download the FASD-informed book Strategies not Solutions, or order the highly acclaimed book Trying Differently rather than Harder, which many parents describe as life changing. 

It is much better if your child has the right diagnosis, as this means they will receive appropriate services and supports. Research has found that misdiagnosis can have a negative impact on your child’s development and mental health. 
 

FASD is currently under-recognised and under-diagnosed. Many health professionals are not trained and lack confidence in assessing and diagnosing FASD. See NOFASD’s information about diagnosis and the FASD Hub Australia’s guide to diagnosis. 

People also ask: 

• What is needed to make a FASD diagnosis, and where can I go? 

• I think my child might have FASD, how can I find out? 

A diagnostic assessment for FASD is conducted by a multidisciplinary team, to enable accurate assessment of the range of outcomes that may be associated with prenatal alcohol exposure. You will need a referral from a General Practitioner (GP) or another medical professional before you can get an appointment with a FASD clinic or FASD-informed service. There are a number of specialist FASD clinics that are currently operating in Australia. See the FASD Hub’s service directory of professionals with FASD experience and expertise. You can also call NOFASD on 1800 860 613 (free call) or contact us for information on referral options. The NOFASD website has links to a range of support services that may be helpful.