Your Clinic Visit: University of Washington FAS DPN    
Below is a description of a typical visit to the University of Washington FAS DPN Clinic presented in our Clinic Brochure. Your experience at the other Washington state clinics will be very similar.
  • What is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)?
  FAS is a birth defect syndrome characterized by growth deficiency, cognitive/behavioral problems and a unique cluster of minor facial anomalies. FAS is caused by maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Not all children exposed to alcohol in utero are born with FAS, but all fetal alcohol exposed children are at risk for FAS or other physical, cognitive or behavioral problems often referred to as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).
  • Who does the FAS DPN Clinic serve?
  The FAS DPN Clinic serves individuals of all ages (toddlers to adults) who have been prenatally exposed to alcohol.
  • What happens during an evaluation at the FAS DPN Clinic?
  The Clinic is staffed by an interdisciplinary team that includes a pediatrician, licensed and school psychologists, a speech-language pathologist, an occupational therapist, a family advocate and a maternal advocate.

Clinic is held on Fridays. Two patients are evaluated each Friday, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Before coming to clinic, caregivers complete a questionnaire (called a New Patient Information Form) that documents the patient's developmental history and the caregivers' concerns. Caregivers are asked to bring copies of previous school, medical, and psychological evaluations to clinic. The clinic staff will help families collect these documents. The caregivers are interviewed by a pediatrician and psychologist at the clinic and the patient is examined to determine if he/she has the features of FAS. The patient also receives a brief language and neurologic assessment. After the interview and clinical examination, the clinic team meets to derive a diagnosis and establish referrals for treatment and services. The caregivers then meet with the clinic team to discuss the diagnosis and referrals. If you would like to read more about this interdisciplinary diagnostic process, click here.

Caregivers participate as an essential member of the team throughout the evaluation process. The clinical evaluation and discussion of the diagnosis and referrals takes approximately four hours.
  • How to make an appointment with the FAS DPN Clinic
  To make an appointment with the University of Washington FAS DPN Clinic, you will need to complete a New Patient Information Form which documents the patient's developmental history.

To receive the New Patient Information Form, please call (206) 598-7666. Leave your name, address, phone number, and the patient's name and date of birth, and the form will be mailed to you.

Return the completed form and you will be contacted regarding an appointment.

Additional FAS DPN clinics are located in Everett, Pullman, Spokane and Yakima. You will be given the option to be seen in the clinic nearest you.
  • Location
  The FAS DPN Clinic is located at the University of Washington, Center on Human Development and Disability (CHDD) just across the street from the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Washington.

The FAS Clinic is a cooperative effort between the University of Washington CHDD and the Department of Social and Health Services.
  • Cost
  A fee will be charged to cover services. No family is refused services because of an inability to pay
  • Family satisfaction with the Clinic
  Among the first 1,000 families served in clinic:

99% said they would recommend the clinic to other families in similar need.

90% said they received information they needed and were unable to obtain elsewhere.

"I was very impressed with the depth of the evaluation and especially the feeling of warmth and concern for the whole family."

"I am absolutely speechless at the genuine concern and professionalism of the team that saw my granddaughter."

"Your clinic has been so supportive and provided us with some much needed information."

"I was so impressed with the knowledge, caring and willingness to help."

"Your clinic is not only efficient, but willing to listen to the parents concerns and offer services that may help."
  • For more Information Contact:
 

FAS Diagnostic and Prevention Network
Center on Human Development and Disability
Box 357920
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-7920

(206) 598-7666

FAS DPN Website: http://depts.washington.edu/fasdpn

 
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