Diagnosis

FASD Prevalence

Research on the prevalence of FASD is critical to understand the scale of the disability in our communities and to identify opportunities to support healthy pregnancies. This research can inform decisions about how we allocate resources and services to support healthy families, and it can help to monitor how effective prevention efforts are.

However, FASD prevalence rates are difficult to measure because of challenges with identification, screening, and diagnosis. Emerging evidence on FASD prevalence suggests conservative rates of 8% in the general population in North America and at least 4% in Canada. Rates are even higher in certain populations who can benefit from additional supports tailored to their unique needs.

Issue Papers

FASD Prevalence in Special Populations (2024)
Emerging evidence on FASD prevalence suggests conservative rates of at least 4%. However, researchers report substantially higher rates in certain groups, like children in care and those in the criminal legal system.

The Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (2024)
FASD prevalence findings have not always been consistent as, over the years, researchers have used different methodologies in different regions and populations. This work shares the most up-to-date findings in FASD prevalence research, suggesting rates of at least 4% in Canada.

Reports and Resources

FASD Prevalence in Corrections Study
In 2016, the Government of Yukon completed a three-year study to find out how many in people in custody or on probation in the Yukon are affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Developing a Multi-source Surveillance System for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (SSFASD/PAE)
Svetlana Popova, Danijela Doze, Lisha Di Gioacchino, Valerie Temple, Jocelynn Cook, Audrey McFarlane & Jürgen Rehm
CAMH, Report prepared for the Public Health Agency of Canada
version français

World Health Organization International Study on the Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) – Canadian Component (2018)
Svetlana Popova, Shannon Lange, Albert E. Chudley, James N. Reynolds & Jürgen Rehm
Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health

Key Research Articles

Implications of Higher Than Expected Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Shannon Lange, Jürgen Rehm & Svetlana Popova
JAMA, February 2018

Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders in 4 US Communities
Philip A. May, Christina D. Chambers, Wendy O. Kalberg, et al.
JAMA, February 2018
Supplementary content

Global Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Among Children and Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Shannon Lange, Charlotte Probst, Gerrit Gmel, Jürgen Rehm, Larry Burd & Svetlana Popova
JAMA Pediatrics, 2017
Supplementary content

Co-morbidity of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis
Popova, S., Lange, S., Shield, K., Mihic, A., Chudley, A. E., Mukherjee, R. A. S., Bekmuradov, D., & Rehm, J.
The Lancet, January 2016

Screening and Identification

FASD is a common disability, but it often goes under-recognized and under-diagnosed. FASD screening is a process that can help identify people who have prenatal alcohol exposure and are exhibiting behaviours that may be associated with FASD. Professionals can then refer them to the appropriate FASD diagnostic services.

Reports and Resources

Increasing Capacity to Identify and Support Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and Complex Neurodevelopmental Needs in British Columbia
Kaitlyn McLachlan, Emma Jewell, Martina Faitakis, Jacqueline Pei, Melissa Tremblay, Mansfield Mela, Katherine Flannigan, Kathy Unsworth & Meghan Schuurman
February 2024

Key Research Articles

Screening approaches for identifying fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: A systematic review
Melissa Grubb, Ariella Golden, Abigail Withers, Daniella Vellone, Arlene Young & Kaitlyn McLachlan
Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, 2021

Best Practice Guide for FASD Assessment and Diagnostic Clinics – This Best Practices Guide for FASD comprises evidence-informed practices that describe high-priority areas in the diagnostic clinic that are central to quality and safety.

The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) is a non-refundable tax credit that helps people with prolonged disabilities or their supporting persons reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay.

DTC Frequently Asked Questions
DTC Application Guide for Physicians
DTC Letter Template for Physicians
Tips for paediatricians completing the DTC Form
DTC General Information

FASD Diagnostic FAQ Cards — These cards provide answers to frequently asked questions about FASD diagnosis and where in your province you can find clinics for diagnosis and assessment.

National FASD Database

CanFASD launched the first and only comprehensive FASD database in the world, providing key insight into the profile of individuals with FASD.

About the National FASD Database

The database collects real-time data from FASD diagnostic clinics across Canada, helping inform policy and practice at a national level. Information from the database provides data back to each of the diagnostic clinics to help them inform and support their own work.

The database provides opportunities for national education and training to improve services for individuals with this neurodevelopmental disorder.

CanFASD’s national database is important for understanding the relationship between diagnostic capacity and service availability for individuals with FASD. In-depth research will inform policy decision and resource allocations pertaining to health services provided to those with FASD. Currently, there are more than 25 clinics from eight provinces and territories participating.

For more information, please contact Celisse Bibr <celisse.bibr@canfasd.ca>.