Preventive health and screening

The mental and physical health concerns for a person with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) can vary widely, particularly the neurodevelopmental effects. Health monitoring for a person with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder should include:

• growth and development
• common health problems
• emotional wellbeing, behaviour, learning, education and employment, daily living skills and adaptive functioning.

An annual comprehensive health assessment is recommended, as for all people with developmental disability.

Preventive health for people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder should be as for the general population, with adjustments to overcome cognitive or communication difficulty; for more advice, see children, adolescents, adults or people who are ageing. See also Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) National guide to a preventive health assessment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for advice on therapy and support for those diagnosed with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

People with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder are at increased risk of ‘secondary’ effects, such as higher rates of mental health and substance use problems, and risk of contact with the justice system. These effects are driven by underlying brain injury and related difficulties (eg impulsivity, executive function difficulties). However, young people and adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder can successfully engage in employment and a range of community and family activities with effective behavioural and social supports. See also the Australian Institute of Family Studies for advice on support for children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.