There is no cure for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, but early intervention and structure may make a measurable difference. Many people with an FASD live fulfilling lives. We created an interdisciplinary FASD clinic at Fullerton Genetics Center to diagnose and treat FASDs.
Children with FAS
If your child has an FASD, it's important to provide extra care and to be your child's advocate. It's also helpful to engage others to support you, including friends, teachers, doctors, and support groups. Children with an FASD need:
- A stable, structured home setting
- Access to medical and support services
- Support and understanding for special needs
- Someone to teach others about those needs
- An advocate to help recognize strengths and limits
Because of their special needs, children with an FASD usually need developmental evaluations performed by a team of specialists like those at our FASD clinic. This evaluation provides a roadmap for education, therapeutic, and community services available.
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), school age children with FASDs may receive testing to assess their learning abilities. Parents and/or teachers may request the initial evaluation. Where available and once test results are available, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) may be created to help identify learning needs and goals for the school year.
Find out more about these plans from the Exceptional Children's Assistance Center website.
Adults with FAS
As people with an FASD grow up, they may have difficulties with time, money, and making decisions. However, with appropriate support, individuals living with an FASD may attend college and earn other advanced degrees. Others attend vocational schools and learn a trade that leads to a job. Many hold jobs that are structured and supervised by people who understand FASD. Some adults with an FASD live independently while others find more success in a structured, supportive living arrangement.
Find out more about caring for people with FASDs from the Organization of Teratology Information Specialists, including tips for caregivers.
Fullerton Genetics Center/Huff Center Therapies FASD Clinic
Our FASD clinic, the only clinic of this kind in the Carolinas, provides diagnostics and support that help improve the quality of relationships among children with an FASD and families. The clinic includes doctors skilled in genetics, a genetic counselor, a social worker, a speech and language pathologist, an occupational therapist, and a Family Support Specialist.
Fullerton Genetics Center also offers a Fetal Alcohol Prevention education program in 14 western North Carolina counties.
Through Mission Children's Hospital the Family Support Network provides families faced with special health care, behavioral or physical needs with emotional support and information from other families with similar life experiences. Also available is a Communty Resource Guide for Children with Disabilities. (pdf)
Contact and More Information:
If you would like more information on the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders clinic at Fullerton Genetics Center call us at 828-213-1051, or use our online contact form.
Fullerton Genetics Center
14 Victoria Rd.
Asheville, NC 28801
Maps & Directions
If you have questions about alcohol use during pregnancy, you can call the Pregnancy Exposure Riskline at 800-532-6302. This is a confidential, toll-free number for North Carolina residents.
