Developing a National Screening Tool Kit for those (0 - 18) Identified and Potentially Affected by FASD

» View Webinar Series Schedule

On March 1, 2005 the Public Health Agency of Canada endorsed the Canadian Guidelines for the diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) » www.cmaj.ca/cgi/reprint/172/5_suppl/S1.pdf. The capacity, however, of diagnostic clinics is low compared to the prevalence of FASD. The validity and reliability of available screening tools has not yet been verified, limiting the ability of health care and allied professionals across Canada to consistently screen for FASD and refer for further assessment and diagnosis.

In partnership with many FASD experts and organizations, CAPHC is currently facilitating a national initiative, funded by the Public Health Agency of Canada, entitled: “Developing a National Screening Tool Kit for those Identified and Potentially Affected by FASD”. Drs. Albert Chudley, Sterling Clarren, Gideon Koren, and Ted Rosales are the content experts leading the project Steering Committee.

The primary objectives of this initiative are to:

• Survey and critically evaluate FASD screening tools and methods in use in Canada for referral to or acceptance into diagnostic clinics;
• Evaluate practical values (sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values) of these tools;
• Develop practical guidelines (Tool Kit), based on the identified and evaluated tools.

Accomplishments to date include:

• A survey of FASD Diagnostic Clinics in Canada has been conducted to assess what screening tools and methods are currently being used;
• A critical review of the North American literature on FASD screening tools and methods has been
  conducted;
• A National Advisory Group has been established of recognized content experts from Canada and the United States;
• A National Advisory Group Workshop was held. These proceedings describe the results of the
  Workshop.

» Click here to view the ToolKit online on the CAPHC Knowledge Exchange Network
    Note: All tools are available in both official languages.

WEBINAR SERIES
National Screening Tool Kit for Children and Youth Identified and Potentially Affected by FASD

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is not a diagnosis, but an umbrella term that describes the range of effects that can be caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral and/or learning disabilities with possible lifelong implications.. The prevalence of FASD in Canada is estimated at 9.1 per 1,000 live births, and the estimated lifetime cost for one individual with FASD is one million dollars.  

In March 2005, the Public Health Agency of Canada endorsed the Canadian Guidelines for the diagnosis of FASD. However, the capacity of diagnostic clinics has continued to be low compared to the prevalence of FASD. The validity and reliability of available screening tools had not yet been systematically investigated, limiting the ability of health care and allied professionals across Canada to consistently screen for FASD and refer for further assessment and diagnosis.

In partnership with many FASD experts, researchers, and organizations, the Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres (CAPHC) has facilitated the development of the National Screening Tool Kit for Children and Youth Identified and Potentially Affected by FASD. The upcoming Webinar series will introduce participants to the components of the Tool Kit, as well as engage them in an interactive dialogue with content experts from across Canada.  

» To access and explore the Tool Kit, click on CAPHC’s Knowledge Exchange Network (KEN) at www.ken.caphc.org
 
Registration is free and all are welcome – Pass this message along to invite your colleagues to join the discussion!

Click Here to Register for Part 1

Title: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - An In-depth Overview and National Dialogue with the Experts
Date & Time: Monday, March 7, 2011, 1:00 – 2:30pm EST

Presenters: Dr. Sterling Clarren, Clinical Professor of Paediatrics, University of British Columbia – Faculty of Medicine, CEO, Canada Northwest FASD Research Network; Dr. Christine Loock, Developmental Paediatrician, BC Children’s Hospital and Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of British Columbia

Click Here to Register for Part  2

Title: Screening with the Tool Kit: Introduction and Overview
Date & Time: Wednesday, April 6, 2011, 1:00 – 2:30pm EST

Presenters: Dr. Gideon Koren, Professor of Paediatrics, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Medicine and Medical Genetics, University of Toronto, National Lead – The Motherisk Program at the Hospital for Sick Children and Fetal Alcohol Canadian Expertise - FACE; Elaine Orrbine, President and CEO, the Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres

Click Here to Register for Part  3

Title: Pre-Natal Exposure Screening Tools: The Maternal History Guide and Meconium FAEE Testing
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 4, 2011, 1:00 – 2:30pm EST

Presenters: Dr. Gideon Koren, Professor of Paediatrics, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Medicine and Medical Genetics, University of Toronto, National Lead – The Motherisk Program at the Hospital for Sick Children and Fetal Alcohol Canadian Expertise - FACE; Moumita Sarkar, PhD candidate, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital for Sick Children

Click Here to Register for Part 4

Title: Maladaptive Behaviour Screening Tools: The NST and Screening for Youth Probation Officers
Date & Time: Wednesday, June 1, 2011, 1:00 – 2:30pm EST

Presenters: Dr. Albert Chudley, Professor, Department of Paediatrics & Child Health, and Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Health Sciences Centre; Dr. Julianne Conry, Research Psychologist, Asante Centre for FAS, Vancouver, British Columbia; Kelly Nash, PhD candidate, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education – University of Toronto Neuroscience and Mental Heath Program

Click Here to Register for Part 5

Title: Medicine Wheel Screening Tools
Date & Time: Thursday, June 30, 2011, 1:00 – 2:30pm EST

Presenter: Dr. Lori Vitale Cox, Educational Psychology Coordinator – Education Division, Eastern Door FASD Diagnostic Team

Webinar 6

Title: The Ethics of Meconium Screening
Date & Time: Fall 2011, to be determined

Presenters: Dr. Stuart MacLeod, Professor, Paediatrics, Child and Family Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Colombia

Tool Kit Pilot Workshop
February 4 & 5, 2010
» Workshop Proceedings

FASD Screening in Children and Youth: A Review of the Literature
» FASD Literature Review

WORKSHOP #2 PROCEEDINGS
March 6 & 7, 2008
» Workshop Proceedings

WORKSHOP#1 PROCEEDINGS
October 29 & 30, 2007
Workshop Proceedings » English | » Français

Project Steering Group Members:

Dr. Gideon Koren, Professor of Paediatrics, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Medicine and Medical Genetics, University of Toronto, National Lead – The Motherisk Program at The Hospital for Sick Children and Fetal Alcohol Canadian Expertise –FACE;

Dr. Ted Rosales, Medical Genetics Program, Paediatrician, Geneticist, Department of Paediatrics, Memorial University, St, John’s Newfoundland;

Dr. Albert Chudley, Professor, Dept. of Paediatrics & Child Health, and Biochemistry and Medical Genetics, University of Manitoba, Health Sciences Centre;

Dr Stuart MacLeod, Professor, Paediatrics, Executive Director, Child and Family Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia.

Dr. Christine Loock, Developmental Paediatrician BC Children’s Hospital and Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics at the University of British Columbia.

Dr. Sterling Clarren, Clinical Professor of Paediatrics, University of British Columbia - Faculty of Medicine, CEO, Canada Northwest FASD Research Network

 Senior Project Manager: Charlotte Rosenbaum –Charlotte Rosenbaum Consulting

Administrative Lead: Ms. Elaine Orrbine, President and CEO, The Canadian Association of Paediatric Health Centres (CAPHC)