If you are concerned that your child has some developmental delays, or there is confirmed prenatal alcohol exposure, the first thing to do is discuss your concerns with your doctor. 

Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in New Zealand is notoriously difficult. It requires a multi-disciplinary team, including a paediatrician, neuropsychologist, and ideally a speech therapist and occupational therapist to work together over a period of time examining various brain domains which can be affected by prenatal alcohol exposure (there must be substantial impairment in at least three to get a diagnosis).

There are very long waitlists for the few free public services available around the country via Te Whatu Ora (the Ministry of Health). And private diagnosis can cost up to $9K. Some people wonder if there's any point to diagnosis, but all the research confirms that if you can get one, a diagnosis (especially an early one) results in better outcomes – for the individual in terms of forming a positive 'disability identity' and for the parent / caregiver / educator in terms of understanding and adapting their responses to the behavioural symptoms of FASD, knowing that it's a brain-based disorder.

Click here to go to our section on diagnosis on our Caregiver and Whānau Support page, where you'll find much more information including an interactive map of where to go for assessments.