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Because an accurate diagnosis for FASD requires the expertise and involvement of several professionals involved in a comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation process, only a fraction of those affected currently receive a complete and accurate diagnosis. Many individuals with FASD may have been given multiple and differing diagnoses over time.
While none of the diagnoses may be wrong, each describes observed behavioural symptoms, but they have not identified FASD as the common source of behaviours. Accordingly, standard interventions are often ineffective. The greater the number of differing diagnoses, the greater the confusion and frustration experienced by people with FASD, their families, caregivers, educators and others. The greater the likelihood of underlying brain dysfunction, the stronger the recommendation for a neurobehavioural assessment for FASD.
In early childhood, because of similar behaviour patterns, individuals with FASD are often diagnosed with one or more of the following conditions:
- Failure to thrive
- Attention deficit disorder/hyperactivity
- Speech and language disorder
- Learning disability
- Autism Spectrum disorder.
In the absence of correct identification, over time, people with FASD are often diagnosed with one or more of the following disorders, which reflect the patterns of secondary defensive characteristics. These may include:
- Reactive attachment disorder
- Emotionally disturbed
- Conduct disorder
- Oppositional defiant disorder
- Bi-polar disorders.
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