| Below is a description of a typical visit to the University of Washington FASDPN Clinic. | |
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| FAS is a birth defect syndrome characterized by poor growth, learning and behavioral problems, and a unique cluster of facial features. FAS is caused by maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Not all children exposed to alcohol during gestation are born with FAS. The majority of individuals affected by prenatal alcohol exposure have the learning and behavioral problems, but not the facial features. The full spectrum of outcomes caused by prenantal alcohol exposure is called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).. | |
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| The FASDPN Clinic provides FASD diagnostic evaluations for individuals under 22 years of age who have a confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure. | |
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The clincal team includes a medical doctor,psychologist, a speech-language pathologist, an occupational therapist, a family advocate, and a public health professional. The team uses a rigorous, validated diagnostic system called the FASD 4-Digit Code to render a diagnosis. The 4-Digit Code was created by the FASDPN back in 1997 and is now used worldwide. 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. In preparation for the appointment, the Clinic collects copies of previous school, medical, and psychological evaluations with caregiver consent. On the day of the appointment, the caregivers are interviewed by the medical doctor while the patient is assessed by a psychologist, speech-language pathologist, and occupational therapist. After the interview and clinical examination, the interdisciplinary 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. |
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| Click here to learn how to request an appointment. | |
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| The FASDPN Clinic is located at the University of Washington, Institute on Human Development and Disability (IHDD) just across the street from the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. The FASDPN Clinic is a cooperative effort between the University of Washington IHDD, the Department of Epidemiology in the School of Public Health and the WA State Health Care Authority. |
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| The fee is dependent on the patient's medical insurance coverage. For questions about the fee, please contact UW Medicine Patient Financial Services. | |
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| Among the first 2,800 families served in clinic: 99% said they would recommend the clinic to other families in similar need. 91% said they received information they needed and were unable to obtain elsewhere. 84% reported the intervention services we recommended met most to all of their needs. "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." |
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FAS Diagnostic and Prevention Network (206) 598-9666 email: fasdpn@uw.edu FAS DPN Website: fasdpn.org |
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