Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure can result in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), which can include physicaland neurobehavioral disorders, including cognitive, social, language, and motor impairments that can persistthroughout life. In order for children with FASD to receive the full benefit of services, recognition of theirdisability needs to be made earlier and more accurately than is common today. Early identification of an FASD helpsto focus targeted treatments, reduce unnecessary medical steps and redundancy in medical care, and increase thelikelihood of efficacious interventions. This article describes an innovative, brief screening tool designed to testthe feasibility of screening for FASD risk in early intervention (EI) settings. Feasibility was demonstrated by ascreening rate of 1161 (61%) of the 1896 available children. The primary resources needed for implementingFASD screening in EI programs are a brief FASD Screening Tool, an FASD trainer, and training time. Replicationefforts would benefit from cost-free cross-training between EI sites and designated pediatricians/diagnosticians whoare interested in improving their skills around FASD, and development of linkages with alcohol use disorderoutpatient/assessment programs for possible referrals for birth mothers. The authors assert that it is practical andfeasible to screen children for FASD in EI settings.