HI HCR208

Urge the Departments of Health and Human Services to adopt the Canadian diagnostic guideline for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal in 2016.

Recommend that departments consider developmental and physical defects or impairment when making referrals for suspected prenatal alcohol exposure, rather than limiting focus to physical features at birth or within the first year.

Recommend that departments confirm suspected prenatal alcohol exposure through a variety of methods consistent with Canadian guidelines, rather than requiring only maternal confirmation.

Modify the definition of severe impairment from three standard deviations below the mean to two standard deviations to expand eligibility for services.

Eliminate the requirement that a child's intelligence quotient be two standard deviations below the mean to qualify for services related to FASD.