Services for Birth to Age 3

Research has shown that the earlier the intervention, the more successful for individuals with developmental disabilities. Physicians should familiarize themselves with state services for children with FASD. Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act allows for “presumptive eligibility” diagnosis. In other words, children at risk of later developmental delay may receive services even if they do not currently meet the eligibility criteria. Many states track FAS diagnosis via birth defect registries and ICD-9 codes (760.71 for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome). As the provider, it is important to counsel the family on the importance of caregiver attachment. The time between birth and three years old is particularly important for developing a stable and nurturing environment for the infant. Children who may have FAS and are in the foster care system are at an increased risk for negative attachment and reactive attachment disorder (RAD).

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