Unfortunately, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are often misdiagnosed before the accurate diagnosis under the FASD umbrella is reached.
Misdiagnosis
Adults may also have many other disorders that come from living with FASD without support. Because FASD can look like many other mental health diagnoses, adults may go undiagnosed for the primary disorder: FASD. Common misdiagnoses for individuals with an FASD include ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Autism, Bipolar Disorder, Psychotic Disorder, Antisocial Personality Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder and Reactive Attachment Disorder.
Children and adults with an FASD are often also labeled as lazy, defiant or as habitual liars. However with the right support, structure and supervision, these individuals can learn and be successful.
Screening in Adults
These red flags can help determine whether or not an adult should be referred to a clinic for a possible diagnosis of an FASD:
- Adult was raised in foster care or adopted
- History of chemical dependency/child protection
- Adult has received many diagnoses such as ADHD, Autism, Reactive Attachment Disorer, Bi-Polar Disorder, etc.
- Adult is easily distracted, hyperactive, inattentive, impulsive
- Adult consistently displays extreme behavior (aggression, emotional instability)
- Adult has been involved with the criminal justice system
- Adult gives inconsistent answers to questions, or can repeat a rule but fail to follow it
- Adult makes the same mistakes repeatedly
- Adult displays difficulties in holding a job
Was there Maternal Alcohol Use?
It is also very important to determine whether or not there was maternal alcohol use during pregnancy. These red flags are indicators to help establish where or not this occurred.
- Mother received treatment for alcohol/drug problems
- Mother was diagnosed with alcohol/drug problems
- Child was removed from home due to alcohol/drug related problems
- Mother died due to complications from alcohol/drug abuse
- Other high risk behaviors such as DUI’s, job or legal problems related to drinking
- Medical records indicate presence of alcohol/drug at birth
