FAS is a permanent birth defect syndrome caused by maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. FASD is the leading known cause of mental retardation and developmental disabilities and is entirely preventable. Learn an interdisciplinary clinical approach to diagnosing FASD using the (2004) 4-Digit Diagnostic Code. The 4-Digit Code has been practiced by interdisciplinary diagnostic teams across the U.S. and Canada since 1997 with documented high performance. This online course includes case studies, animations, practice sessions and self-assessment.

• The Online Course is now open for registration.
• Earn 2 Continuing Education Units.
• The Course was developed by Susan J. Astley, Ph.D. and the University of Washington FAS DPN Clinical Team. This course was developed in partnership with UW Extension, Distance Learning Division.

Click here to view an introductory video of the Online Course.

The video requires Windows Media Player software to view. If you are using a computer with Microsoft's Windows operating system, you may already have this software loaded in your computer. If you do not have this software, or the version you have is outdated, a free copy of the software can be downloaded from Microsoft.

Click here to view the Course Evaluation by students who have completed the course.

To register for the 4-Digit Diagnostic Code Online Course:

1. Complete and submit the Order Form.
   The Order Form allows you to:
   

   Register for the Course ($100) and purchase the Course Materials.
   The Course Materials include:
   

   The FASD Diagnostic Guide (2004) with a Caucasian and African American Lip-Philtrum Guide.
   You are welcome to purchase a hard-copy of these Guides for $40 or download a free pdf copy from the Course website.
   
   

 

• FAS Facial Photographic Analysis Software (2003)
  You may purchase the software for $50. Practice using the software in the Online Course is optional.
  
  

To begin the Course, you must pay the registration fee. You may purchase the Course Materials at anytime during the Course (e.g., at the time of Registration or after you have started the Course).

2. Upon receipt of your Order Form and Registration Fee, we will email you your User ID. This ID will provide you access to the Online Course.
   

• Consists of an individual-start, self-paced, fully online program. The course includes readings, exercises, quizzes and video segments of an actual FAS Diagnostic Evaluation. This 20-hour course is designed for completion in 4 weeks. Students may complete the course in less time or may take up to 8 weeks. Students may start the course on any date.

• Presents an overview of current assessment and diagnostic strategies for FASD.

• Introduces the role of interdisciplinary clinical teams in the screening and diagnosis of FAS, based on the model of the Washington State Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnostic & Prevention Network (FAS DPN). The network comprises four community-based clinics linked by the core clinical/research/training clinic at the Center on Human Development and Disability at the University of Washington in Seattle. A typical interdisciplinary team includes a pediatrician, psychologist, speech and language pathologist, occupational therapist, and a family/maternal advocate.

• Provides detailed training and practice in the use of the (2004) FASD 4-Digit Diagnostic Code. The four digits of the code reflect the magnitude of expression of the four key diagnostic features of FASD:
  
  
  • Growth deficiency,
  • The FAS facial features,
  • CNS damage/dysfunction, and
  • Prenatal alcohol exposure.

The code is generated by first recording key clinical data on a standardized FASD Diagnostic Form and following specific case-definitions to generate each digit. The magnitude of expression of each feature is ranked independently on a 4-point Likert scale, with "1" reflecting complete absence of the FASD feature and "4" reflecting a strong "classic" presence of the FASD feature. Each Likert rank is specifically case-defined.

• Provides training and practice in the use of the FAS Facial Photographic Analysis Software (Version 1.0. 2003). Developed by Susan Astley Ph.D., this software has been used to accurately measure the full continuum of expression of the FAS facial features in over 3,500 individuals, birth to adult, evaluated in the FASD screening and diagnostic programs conducted by the Washington State FAS Diagnostic & Prevention Network: This software:
  
  
  • Is designed for use by health care and research professionals.
  • Provides a user-friendly, inexpensive, objective method for analyzing digital facial photographs obtained in a clinical or research setting.
  • Allows users to import a digital facial photograph and measure the magnitude of expression of the key facial features of FAS using the 4-Digit Diagnostic Code derived by Astley & Clarren, 2001.
  • Is a Microsoft WINDOWS application developed for WINDOWS 2000/XP. Installation requires Microsoft Office to be present. Minimum system requirements: Pentium II-500 MHz processor; 128 MB RAM; 70 MB hard drive space; 1024x768 monitor, 16-bit color; CD-ROM drive for installation.
    
    
• Enables participants to:
  
  
  • Understand the full spectrum of outcomes associated with prenatal alcohol exposure.
  • Recognize the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to FASD screening and diagnosis.
  • Use the (2004) FASD 4-Digit Diagnostic Code.
  • Use the FAS Facial Photographic Analysis Software.

We have made every effort to design this course to be User Friendly. This course does require the student have access to a computer system that reflects today's computing technology (see recommendations below). If you discover that this Online Course does not run adequately on your computer system, we will be happy to refund your Course Registration Fee.

To take this Online Course we recommend the following hardware and software:

• Web Browser
  This course performs most optimally in Internet Explorer. Other browsers (e.g., Mozilla, Netscape, etc) should also work, but those browsers may encounter some problems translating the code.
  
  
• Computer:
  We recommend the following system requirements:
  
  Pentium4; 2.0 GHz processor; 512 MB RAM; 1280 x 1024 monitor, 32-bit color.
  Adobe Reader software (to view pdf files). Download the most current free version for Windows 2000/XP by going to the link provided here.
  QuickTime software (to view movie files). Download most current free version for Windows 2000/XP by going to the link provided here.
  Please note: this Online Course was not tested on a MacIntosh Computer.

• Printer
  Students will need access to a printer to print a hard copy of the Exercise Forms. You will be asked to complete the forms in pencil as you progress through the lessons.
  
  
• Software - Operating System
  If you choose to use the "FAS Facial Photographic Analysis Software", the software is a Microsoft WINDOWS application developed for WINDOWS 2000/XP. Installation requires Microsoft Office to be present. Minimum system requirements: Pentium III-1.0 GHz processor; 256 MB RAM; 1024x768 monitor, 16-bit color; CD-ROM drive for installation. Recommended system requirements: Pentium4; 2.0 GHz processor; 512 MB RAM; 1280 x 1024 monitor, 32-bit color; CD-ROM drive for installation.

• This course is intended for clinical and research professionals engaged in the screening and/or diagnosis of individuals with prenatal alcohol exposure. Those who will benefit most are members of interdisciplinary FASD diagnostic teams. Team members typically include, but are not limited to, physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, speech/language pathologists, occupational therapists, and social workers. This course can also serve as continuing education for individuals seeking updated training on the FASD 4-Digit Diagnostic Code. This online course compliments the 2-Day, Onsite, FASD Diagnostic Training for Interdisciplinary Teams.
  

• This Online Course provides more in-depth instruction on how to use the FASD 4-Digit Diagnostic Code and FAS Facial Photographic Analysis Software. The course is self-paced and can be taken in the convenience of your own office/home. The course provides detailed training and practice sessions with self-assessment to confirm your level of competency. It also includes video segments of an actual FAS Diagnostic Evaluation.
  
  
• The 2-Day Onsite FASD Diagnostic Training for Interdisciplinary Teams provides a broader overview of the interdisciplinary approach to screening, diagnosis, and prevention of FASD using the 4-Digit Diagnostic Code. The 2-Day Course provides you with direct interaction and instruction from the FAS DPN Diagnostic Team. Trainees directly observe an actual diagnostic evaluation.
  

Our training recommendations below are based on the principle that training is important, but can be time consuming and expensive. To this end, we offer training online and onsite, at cost or free.

• For Interdisciplinary Teams seeking to establish a FASD Diagnostic Clinic in their Community:
  
  
  • We recommend all team members attend the 2-Day, Onsite FASD Diagnostic Training for Interdisciplinary Teams. This will provide your team with an overview of the interdisciplinary approach to FASD Diagnosis using the 4-Digit Code.
    
  • We recommend a subset of the team also take the Online Course to confirm their competency in the use of the 4-Digit Diagnostic Code.
    
    
• For individual professionals seeking initial or updated, in-depth training on the use of the 4-Digit Diagnostic Code:
  
  
  • We recommend you enroll in the Online Course.
  • You are also welcome to observe a diagnostic evaluation at the Seattle WA FAS DPN Clinic by attending our free 1-Day Observational Training.
    
    
• For new team members joining an already existing FASD Diagnostic Team who have attended the 2-Day Team Training:
  
  
  • We recommend you enroll in the Online Course.
  • You are also welcome to observe a diagnostic evaluation at the Seattle WA FAS DPN Clinic by attending our free 1-Day Observational Training.