Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) diagnostic clinics across Canada face an ongoing challenge: confirming prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) in a consistent, ethical, and trauma-informed manner. In response to this need, the Lakeland Centre for FASD (LCFASD), Rajani Diagnostic Clinic and Training Services, has developed a comprehensive Prenatal Alcohol Collection and Confirmation Toolkit to guide clinic coordinators, physicians, and diagnostic teams in this complex area.
Why this toolkit matters
Confirming PAE is a critical step in diagnosing FASD—but it’s not always straightforward. Stigma, inconsistent record-keeping, complex family dynamics, and lack of standardization have all made this process difficult. Without confirmed PAE, many individuals cannot receive an FASD diagnosis and may miss out on the supports they need.
This new toolkit is designed to help fill that gap.
Purpose of the toolkit
The toolkit was created through focus groups and expert input to:
- Establish consistent practices for gathering and confirming PAE in FASD diagnostic clinics across Canada.
- Clarify the definition and thresholds for PAE confirmation using current guidelines and literature.
- Share practical strategies for approaching difficult conversations, navigating ethical issues, and verifying information through multiple sources.
Importantly, this is not a rigid manual. Every case is different. The toolkit includes practical examples, quotes from clinic professionals, case studies, and trauma-informed approaches that reflect the complexity of real-world diagnostics.
“People come into these roles from all different backgrounds. No standardized training around it for such a sensitive issue; trauma-informed conversations need to be held.”
The document also outlines best practices for working with birth parents, the use of historical and third-party records, and techniques for clinic teams to make informed, compassionate decisions in cases where PAE is difficult to confirm.
Access the toolkit
The Prenatal Alcohol Collection and Confirmation Toolkit is available for download through the Lakeland Centre for FASD website. Whether you’re a clinic coordinator, referring physician, or policy maker, this resource provides an invaluable foundation for improving the accuracy and compassion of FASD assessment.