FASD Assessment Brisbane: Neurodevelopmental Evaluation
COMPREHENSIVE NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT FOR FOETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER (FASD) IN CHILDREN (8+), ADOLESCENTS, AND ADULTS.
What is FASD?
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a diagnostic term used to describe the permanent physical, cognitive, and behavioural impacts on an individual who was exposed to alcohol before birth.
FASD is often referred to as an "invisible disability" because the challenges with memory, learning, and emotional regulation are not always obvious from a person's appearance. At LDB Clinical Neuropsychology, we provide the diagnostic assessments required to identify FASD and access vital support services.
Why a Neuropsychological Assessment is Essential
Diagnosing FASD is a complex process that requires looking at several different "domains" of brain function. Under the Australian Guide to the Diagnosis of FASD, a diagnosis requires evidence of significant impairment in at least three of the following areas:
-
Brain Structure/Head Circumference
-
Motor Skills
-
Cognition (IQ)
-
Language
-
Academic Achievement
-
Memory
-
Attention
-
Executive Function (including impulse control)
-
Adaptive Behaviour and Social Skills
Our comprehensive assessment battery is designed to evaluate these specific domains, providing the objective data needed for a multidisciplinary diagnosis.
Signs and Challenges of FASD
Individuals with FASD may experience a range of challenges that change as they grow older, including:
-
"Dysmaturity": Acting much younger than their chronological age.
-
Memory Gaps: Appearing to "know" something one day but forgetting it the next.
-
Difficulty with Cause and Effect: Struggling to learn from consequences or predict the outcome of actions.
-
Sensory Overload: Becoming easily overwhelmed by noise, light, or touch.
-
Social Vulnerability: Difficulty reading social cues, making them vulnerable to being led or taken advantage of by others.
-
Executive Dysfunction: Significant trouble with planning, organising, and managing time.
The Assessment Process
Our evaluations are thorough and conducted with the utmost sensitivity for the individual and their family:
1.
Initial Consultation
We gather a detailed history, including information pertaining to prenatal alcohol exposure.
2.
Multidisciplinary Liaison
FASD diagnosis is often a team effort. We work alongside Paediatricians, Speech Pathologists, and Occupational Therapists to ensure all diagnostic criteria are met.
3.
Comprehensive Testing
Objective testing is typically conducted over a period of 6-7 hours to identify the "brain-based" challenges.
4.
Functional Reporting
We produce a detailed report that maps cognitive findings to daily life challenges—essential for NDIS and educational support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Moving Toward Support, Not Blame
FASD is a whole-of-life condition that requires a "strengths-based" approach. At LDB Clinical Neuropsychology, our goal is to move beyond the challenges and identify the individual's unique talents. By understanding how an individual's brain is wired, we can help families, schools, and workplaces move from a place of frustration to a place of successful support.