HI SCR4

Urges 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.

Requests consideration of developmental and physical defects or impairment whenever making referrals for suspected prenatal alcohol exposure, rather than focusing only on physical features at birth or within the first year.

Directs confirmation of suspected prenatal alcohol exposure through a variety of methods as recommended by the Canadian guideline, rather than requiring only maternal confirmation.

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

Requests elimination of the requirement that a child's intelligence quotient be two standard deviations below the mean for accompanying intellectual disability to qualify for needed services.