Health professionals in Australia now have access to national clinical practice guidelines to assess and diagnose Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), marking a significant advancement in care for individuals and families impacted by the disability. This achievement shows what’s possible with national collaboration and investment into FASD.  

Australian guidelines for assessment and diagnosis 

The National Health and Medical Research Council has approved the Australian Guidelines for Assessment and Diagnosis of FASD. These guidelines are the first of their kind in Australia and follow years of research from the University of Queensland.  

Dr. Natasha Reid, from the university’s Child Health Research Centre, led the project involving over 40 organisations across the country. She emphasized that these guidelines represent a transformative step in how FASD is assessed and diagnosed nationwide.  

The guidelines are designed to improve accuracy and consistency in FASD diagnosis, promote early identification, and reduce stigma. They also emphasize that assessment should not be limited to specialist clinics – instead, they encourage health professionals across disciplines and settings to contribute, expanding access to diagnosis and support.  

Developing the Australian guidelines 

The development process was both rigorous and inclusive. It involved a comprehensive literature review of over 300 research studies, as well as consultations with more than 120 stakeholders – including health professionals, researchers, cultural experts, families, and individuals with lived experience of FASD.  

“Through collaborative networks and extensive stakeholder engagement, these new national guidelines have the potential to change the life-course for individuals living with FASD,” said Professor Karen Moritz, Associate Dean (Research), University of Queensland Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences.  

Why Canada should pay attention  

Australia’s achievement underscores what’s possible when there is national coordination, adequate funding, and a commitment to evidence-based care.  

Here in Canada, we already have clinical guidelines – CanFASD was a key partner in the 2015 Canadian Guidelines for FASD Diagnosis – but those guidelines are now nearly a decade old and in urgent need of an update. Despite being a recognized public health concern, Canada still lacks a comprehensive National FASD Framework, which is crucial for:  

• Updating diagnostic and intervention guidelines  
• Educating health care and other professional on prevention, diagnosis, and support  
• Promoting research and knowledge translation;  
• Setting national standards for FASD prevention, diagnosis, and support;  
• Raising awareness of FASD and the risks of alcohol consumption in pregnancy; and  
• Identifying any other measures necessary to improve outcomes  

Without coordinated national leadership and funding, Canada risks falling behind in providing the best possible care for individuals with FASD and their families.  

Moving forward  

CanFASD has the expertise and the Network to successfully develop and implement a similar project in Canada – but we need federal support to update our clinical guidelines and to build the systems necessary for meaningful, lasting impact. Let’s make a National FASD Framework a reality.