Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnosis

A complete physical exam, evaluation of the face, and an IQ test are used to help confirm a diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome. A team of professionals, ranging from education consultants to occupational therapists, collaborates to form the diagnosis. Identifying fetal alcohol syndrome early in a child's life and implementing appropriate intervention measures may contribute to positive long-term outcomes, both in school and as an adult.

Information on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

How Is Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Diagnosed?

An expert trained to assess birth defects and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders can diagnose fetal alcohol syndrome. Such experts may include a geneticist, developmental pediatrician, or neurologist. Ideally, a team of professionals diagnoses the specific disorder. The team may include:

A dysmorphologist
Education consultants
Psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers
Occupational therapists
Speech and language specialists.

Tests Used to Diagnose Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Tests used in making a fetal alcohol syndrome diagnosis usually include:

A complete physical (height, weight, vision, hearing, cardiogram, etc.)
Evaluation of the face
An IQ test (for example, WISC or WAIS).

Occupational therapy, speech, neurologic, and psychiatric evaluations are also used in diagnosing fetal alcohol syndrome to check for related characteristics of the disorder, including:

Cognitive deficits, such as memory problems or developmental delay
Executive functioning deficits, such as problems following multistep directions
Motor delays or deficits, such as clumsiness or tremors
Attention deficits and hyperactivity
Poor social skills, such as interrupting others and misreading cues
Behavioral problems, such as aggression or not finishing tasks.

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