FAS Diagnostic and Prevention Network

Contact: Susan Astley, For appointments call 206-598-7666 or click here

Core Function: Clinical Services, Technical Assistance and Outreach Training

The Washington State Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnostic & Prevention Network (FAS DPN) is a network of five Washington State community-based clinics linked by the fetal alcohol syndrome disorders (FASD) clinic at CHDD. The network was established through Washington state senate bill 5688 and support from the Centers for Disease Control, March of Dimes, Chavez Memorial Fund, and WA State Department of Social and Health Services.

The goals of FAS DPN are primary and secondary prevention of FASD through screening, diagnosis, research, and training. The network seeks to (1) demonstrate the value of multidisciplinary diagnostic clinics that accurately identify FASD in persons of all ages, (2) provide comprehensive treatment planning (medical, mental health, educational/vocational, and social service) to reduce secondary disabilities, and (3) locate and intervene with the birth mothers of these individuals to prevent recurrent births of affected children. An additional goal is to disseminate this approach to other communities and train and support those local efforts to develop similar programs.

FAS DPN holds clinics at CHDD and across the state of Washington. Each clinic in the network uses the same interdisciplinary approach and systematic diagnostic method, the 4-Digit Diagnostic Code developed by CHDD faculty. FAS DPN began diagnosing patients in 1993 and has diagnosed over 1,700 patients to date. FAS DPN has expanded both nationally and internationally through the training of interdisciplinary teams. CHDD faculty have trained over 90 interdisciplinary teams in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio and two Canadian Provinces (British Columbia and Alberta). The national FAS DPN expands by 6 to 10 new sites per year.

Other network activities include training UW students, interns, fellows and community professionals; screening children for FASD through the King County Foster Care Passport Program; offering an online course to instruct professionals on the use of the FASD 4-Digit Diagnostic Code; distributing FAS Facial Photographic Analysis software, FAS Tutor Medical Training software CD-ROMs, and downloadable diagnostic guides; and conducting studies to improve the diagnosis and intervention strategies used for children with FASD.

More Information

FAS DPN Website

University of Washington • Center on Human Development and Disability Box 357920 • Seattle WA 98195-7920 USA • 206-543-7701 • chdd@u.washington.edu