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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Clinic

   Self-Referral and Provider Referral: This clinic accepts self-referrals and provider referrals. Please see "Referrals" menu for more information.

About the FASD Clinic

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a group of effects that can occur when a birth mother drinks alcohol while she is pregnant. The FASD Diagnostic Clinic serves children and youth in Northeastern Ontario between the ages of 3-17. Our clinic provides a multidisciplinary team including a Nurse Practitioner, Occupational Therapist, Psychologist, Social Worker and Speech and Language Pathologist to help understand how your child’s brain processes information identifying their strengths and supporting their needs.

Our process

Our clinic starts with an intake assessment for all referrals received. Knowledge of the birth mother’s drinking during pregnancy is the usual starting point. This can be very difficult to determine when there is no history, especially if the mother is deceased or the child is adopted.

Once all information is gathered, the child will be scheduled for the diagnostic clinic. Your child’s diagnostic clinic appointments will take place over three (3) days. You will also be asked to show your health card at every visit. Shortly after you complete the clinic, the team will meet to discuss the outcome of your child’s assessments and determine a diagnosis (if any). A date will be scheduled for you to meet with members of the team to discuss the outcome of the assessments, provide recommendations and help you find services in your community.

FASD is a group of effects that can occur when a birth mother drinks alcohol while she is pregnant. Drinking during pregnancy can cause permanent damage to different parts of a baby’s brain. Alcohol can affect the development of an unborn baby as early as the first week of pregnancy.

In Canada, it is estimated that FASD occurs in approximately 1/100 people.

Although an individual would have FASD at birth, children are rarely diagnosed in infancy. FASD is often detected later in life when symptoms such as learning disabilities, developmental concerns and behaviour challenges begin to emerge.

 

Some people have no visible signs when they have FASD, so their difficulties or problems could be blamed on other things. Early diagnosis can:

  • help someone access appropriate services and programs
  • help with communication between clinicians, caregivers, family members and teachers
  • help with self-awareness and understanding
 

Anyone can refer to the FASD Clinic.
 

 Self-Referrals

Families, guardians, and caregivers can self-refer for this service.
Access our online Self-Referral Form.
 

 Provider Referrals

Healthcare providers can find our NEO Kids & Family Central Intake eReferral Form on the Ocean Healthmap.

For assistance, please call NEO Navigation, central intake team at 705-523-7120.

 

 
Contact Us
Address

Health Sciences North
Ramsey Lake Health Centre
41 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, Ontario, P3E 5J1

Phone: 705-523-7120 ext 3508 or 3545

Email: neokidsinfo@hsnsudbury.ca