Australian guidelines for the assessment and diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
The Australian Guidelines for the Assessment and Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) have been developed to support practitioners in undertaking assessment and diagnosis of FASD across the lifespan.
The recommendations contained in these guidelines have been developed based on information collected from multiple sources:
- Rigorous review of the best available evidence.
- Information collected from people with living experience of FASD.
- Insights from Aboriginal and Māori people with FASD knowledge and expertise.
- Contributions from practitioners and researchers with knowledge and expertise in the assessment and diagnosis of FASD.
The guideline recommendations were approved by the Chief Executive Officer of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) on 24 March 2025 under section 14A of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992. In approving the guideline recommendations, NHMRC considers that they meet the NHMRC standard for clinical practice guidelines. This approval is valid for a period of five years.
NHMRC is satisfied that the guideline recommendations are systematically derived, based on the identification and synthesis of the best available scientific evidence, and developed for health professionals practising in an Australian health care setting.
This publication reflects the views of the authors and not necessarily the views of the Australian Government.
The development of these guidelines was supported by funding from the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care.
- Main guidelines full version (PDF, 39.1 MB)
- Main guidelines brief version (PDF, 4.2 MB)
- Practitioner Templates (DOCX, 50.3 KB)
- Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 463.4 KB)
- Summary of Actionable Statements (PDF, 780.8 KB)
- Assessment Principles and Diagnostic Criteria (PDF, 1.1 MB)
- Summary of Changes from the 2016 Guide (PDF, 343.4 KB)
- Indigenous Framework (PDF, 1.7 MB)
- Plain English summary (PDF, 2.3 MB)
- Administrative and Technical Report (PDF, 5 MB)
- Dissemination, Implementation, and Evaluation Report (PDF, 909 KB)
- Technical Report – lived experiences (PDF, 802.2 KB)
- Technical Report – holistic review (PDF, 1.4 MB)
- Technical Report – costs and resources (PDF, 1.2 MB)
- Technical Report – components of diagnostic criteria (PDF, 9.6 MB)
- Supplemental File A (PDF, 411.3 KB)
- Supplemental File B (PDF, 1 MB)
- Supplemental File C (PDF, 2.2 MB)
- Supplemental File D (PDF, 239.4 KB)
- Supplemental File E (PDF, 2.9 MB)
- Supplemental File F (PDF, 8.7 MB)
- Supplemental File G (PDF, 2 MB)
Guidelines Development Group Members
Name | Discipline/Content Expertise | Role | Institutional Affiliation | State |
---|---|---|---|---|
Professor Philippa Middleton | Perinatal Epidemiologist | Independent Chair | South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute | SA |
Dr Natasha Reid | Clinical Psychology | Content Chair | University of Queensland | QLD |
Ms Nicole Hewlett | Indigenous Health | Cultural Advisor | QUT/Menzies/UQ | QLD |
Professor Zachary Munn | Public Health | Methodologist | University of Adelaide | SA |
Dr Andi Crawford | Clinical Psychology | New Zealand Guidelines Project team | University of Auckland, Te Ara Manapou | NZ |
Dr Raewyn Mutch | Paediatrics | New Zealand Guidelines Project team | Refugee Health Service and General Paediatrics, Perth Children’s Hospital | WA |
Associate Professor Matthew Gullo | Clinical Psychology | - | Griffith University | QLD |
Ms Sophie Harrington | Living Experience | - | NOFASD | WA |
Professor Elizabeth Elliott | Paediatrics | - | University of Sydney Clinical School; Children’s Hospital Westmead | NSW |
Associate Professor Delyse Hutchinson | Clinical Psychology | - | Deakin University | VIC |
Ms Rowena Friend | Forensic Psychology | - | Private Practice, Charles Darwin University | NT |
Dr Katrina Harris | Paediatrics | - | VicFAS Service - Monash Children’s Hospital | VIC |
Mr Max Naglazas | Speech Pathology | - | Neurosciences Unit, Western Australia Department of Health | WA |
Professor Carmela Pestell | Clinical Neuropsychology | - | University of Western Australia & Private Practice | WA |
Professor Doug Shelton | Paediatrics | - | Child Development Service, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service | QLD |
Dr James Stewart | Clinical Neuropsychology | - | North Metropolitan Health Service | WA |
Ms Prue Walker | Social Work | - | Private Practice; LaTrobe University; VicFAS Monash Children’s Hospital | VIC |
Dr Natalie Kippin | Speech Pathology | - | Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University | WA |
Dr Haydn Till | Clinical Neuropsychology | - | Child Development Service, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service | QLD |
Dr Seema Padencheri | Psychiatry | - | Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Hornsby Hospital Northern Sydney | NSW |
Dr Fiona Kay | Paediatrics | - | Royal Children’s Hospital, Darwin Children’s Clinic; PATCHES Paediatrics | NT |
Ms Diana Barnett | Occupational Therapy | - | Children’s Hospital Westmead | NSW |
Ms Storm Anderson | Speech Pathology | - | Child Development Service, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service | QLD |
Dr Kelly Skorka | Occupational Therapy | - | On Call Children’s Therapy; The University of Queensland | QLD |
Megan Crowe | Speech Pathology | - | NT Health | NT |
Dr Robyn Doney | Occupational Therapy | - | PATCHES Paediatrics | WA |
Steering Committee Members
Organisation | Primary representative | Proxy representative |
---|---|---|
The University of Queensland | Dr Natasha Reid, Senior Research Fellow, Clinical Psychologist (Chair) | Professor Karen Moritz, Associate Dean Research |
University of Sydney | Professor Elizabeth Elliott, Paediatrician | Dr Melissa Cheung, Research Fellow |
Telethon Kids Institute | Dr Amy Finlay-Jones, Senior Research Fellow, Psychologist | Dr Rochelle Watkins, Senior Research Fellow |
La Trobe University | Dr Kerryn Bagley, Senior Lecturer, Social Worker | Dr Jo Spong, Senior Lecturer |
Griffith University | Professor Dianne Shanley, Clinical Psychologist | Dr Erinn Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Clinical Psychologist |
Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service – Child Development Service | Dr Haydn Till, Clinical Neuropsychologist | Dr Francoise Butel, Paediatrician |
National Organisation for FASD (NOFASD) | Ms Sophie Harrington, Consumer | Ms Nicole Hewlett, First Nations Cultural Representative |
Patches Paediatrics | Ms Rowena Friend, Forensic Psychologist | Ms Serena Cribb, Clinical Neuropsychologist |
Monash – VicFAS | Dr Alison Crichton, Clinical Neuropsychologist | Dr Katrina Harris, Paeditrician |
West Moreton Health | Mr Andy Webster, Clinical Nurse Consultant | Mr Alan White, Clinical Nurse Consultant |
FASD CARE | Dr Raewyn Mutch, Paediatrician | Dr Robyn Williams, Senior Research Fellow |
Advisory Group Members
Name | Qualifications/position | Organisation representing | Institutional Affiliation | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|
Dr Honey Heussler | Associate Professor & Developmental Paediatrician | - | Queensland Health; The University of Queensland | QLD |
Dr Tamara Tulich | Associate Professor in the Law School | - | The University of Western Australia | WA |
Dr Carmela Pestell | Professor & Clinical Neuropsychologist | - | The University of Western Australia | WA |
Dr Delyse Hutchinson | Associate Professor & Clinical Psychologist | - | Deakin University | VIC |
Ms Angelene Bruce | Parent | - | - | VIC |
Ms Amanda Mulligan | Carer, Board Member for RFFADA | - | RFFADA | QLD |
Ms Cheryl Dedman | Carer; Chair of Board for NOFASD Australia | NOFASD Australia | NOFASD | VIC |
Ms Sophie Harrington | Parent; COO NOFASD Australia | NOFASD | NOFASD | WA |
Mr Max Naglazas | Speech Pathologist | - | WA Health | WA |
Ms April Wilson | Carer | - | - | |
Dr Ian McCracken | Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist | - | Allambi Care | NSW |
Ms Lorelle Holland | Lecturer | - | The University of Queensland | QLD |
Dr Gareth Baynam | Clinical Geneticist | - | WA Health | WA |
Dr Jamie Berry | Clinical Neuropsychologist | - | Advanced Neuropsychological Treatment Services | NSW |
Dr Alina Iser | Paediatrician | - | Alice Springs Hospital & Central Australian Aboriginal Congress | NT |
Dr Karen Clunies-Ross | Clinical Neuropsychologist | - | WA Health | WA |
Ms Storm Anderson | Speech Pathologist | - | Child Development Service, QLD Health | QLD |
Ms Sarah Goldsbury | Clinical Neuropsychologist | - | Sarah Goldsbury Psychology Services | NZ |
Ms Brianna Hollis | Clinical Neuropsychologist | - | Child Development Service, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service | QLD |
Dr Dianne Shanley | Professor & Clinical Psychologist | - | Griffith University | QLD |
Dr Carmel Lum | Clinical Neuropsychologist & Clinical Psychologist | - | NT | |
Dr Natalie Kippin | Speech Pathologist, Researcher | Curtin University | WA | |
Ms Jessica Doak | Clinical Psychologist | - | Grassroots Psychology | QLD |
Dr Robyn Williams | Senior Research Fellow | - | Curtin University | WA |
Dr Vanessa Spiller | Clinical Psychologist | - | Jump Start Psychology | QLD |
Dr Carolyn Ng | Paediatrician | - | QLD Health | QLD |
Ms Jess Styles | Director, Programs | NACCHO | NACCHO | ACT |
Kate Cooper | Education consultant | - | VicFAS | VIC |
Ms Jessica Birch | FASD Advocate | - | ||
Ms June Riemer | Deputy CEO | First Peoples Disability Network | First Peoples Disability Network | NSW |
Dr Jane Halliday | Professor & Principal Research Fellow | - | Murdoch Children’s Research Institute & University of Melbourne | VIC |
Dr Rochelle Watkins | Senior Research Fellow | - | Telethon Kids Institute | WA |
Dr Lorian Hayes | Elder & FASD Educator | - | National Indigenous Corporation for FAS Education Network | QLD |
Ms Rowena Friend | Forensic Psychologist, Senior Lecturer | - | Private Practice, Charles Darwin University | NT |
Dr Hester Wilson | General Practitioner & Addiction Medicine Specialist | RACGP | RACGP | NSW |
Ms Linda McSherry | Kimberley Supports Senior Manager | - | Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services | WA |
Dr Erinn Hawkins | Lecturer & Clinical Psychologist | - | Griffith University & private practice | QLD |
Mr Gilberto Spencer | FASD Advocate | - | Life Coach School | NSW |
Ms Susan Burns | Manager NDS | National Disability Services | National Disability Services | NT |
Dr Ali Crichton | Clinical Neuropsychologist | - | VicFAS | VIC |
Dr Kristy Nicola | Physiotherapist | Australian Physiotherapy Association | Private Practice and | QLD |
Ms Hannah Blaine | Clinical Neuropsychologist | - | Central Australian Aboriginal Congress | NT |
Dr Heidi Webster | Paediatrician | - | Coastal Developmental Paediatrics | QLD |
Dr Kelly Jeng | Clinical Neuropsychologist | - | NSW CICADA | NSW |
Ms Ellaina Anderson | Clinical Neuropsychologist | - | QLD Health | QLD |
Dr Fiona Kay | Paediatrician | - | NT Health & PATCHES Paediatrics | NT |
Dr Haydn Till | Advanced Clinical Neuropsychologist | - | Child Development Service - Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service | QLD |
Mr Andy Webster | Registered Nurse | - | QLD Health | QLD |
Ms Kristina Barisic | Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist | - | Child Development Service - Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service | QLD |
Dr Michael Doyle | Senior Research Fellow | - | The University of Sydney | NSW |
Ms Maree Maloney | Occupational Therapist | - | The University of Queensland | QLD |
Dr Marcel Zimmet | Paediatrician | - | Royal Far West | NSW |
Ms Sarah Hill | Occupational Therapist | - | SA Health | SA |
Ms Emma Johnston | Speech Pathologist | - | NSW Health | NSW |
Ms Carol Jewell | Occupational Therapist | Occupational Therapy Australia | Occupational Therapy Australia | VIC |
Ms Amelia Paterson | Paediatric Clinical Neuropsychologist | - | Central Australian Aboriginal Congress | NT |
Dr Sharynne Hamilton | Senior Research Fellow | - | Telethon Kids Institute | WA |
Dr Karen Liddle | Paediatrician | QLD Health | QLD | |
Dr Manjula Kannangara | Paediatrician | - | QLD Health and Murri School | QLD |
Dr Kerryn Bagley | Social Worker | Australian Association of Social Workers | La Trobe University | VIC |
Ms Brooke Shakspeare | Social Worker | - | QLD Health | QLD |
Dr Seth Sivaydganathan | Paediatrician | - | QLD Health | QLD |
Ms Lynda McDowall | Registered Nurse | - | SA Health | SA |
Dr Amanda Wilkins | Paediatrician | - | WA Health | WA |
Dr Kate Highfields | Researcher and early childhood specialist | - | Early Childhood Australia | NSW |
Dr Gavin Cleland | Paediatrician | RACP | QLD Health | QLD |
Dr Suparna Chakrabarty | Paediatrician | - | QLD Health | QLD |
Dr Deepa Jeyaseelan | Paediatrician & Medical Unit Head | - | Child Development Unit, SA Health & Flinders Medical Centre | SA |
Dr Seema Padencheri | Psychiatrist | - | Hornsby Child and Youth Mental Health | NSW |
Dr James Stewart | Clinical Neuropsychologist | - | WA Health | WA |
Mr Tim Smith | Psychologist | - | Department of Communities | WA |
Mr Alan White | Registered Nurse | - | QLD Health | QLD |
Dr Sharon Dawe | Professor & Psychologist | - | Griffith University | QLD |
Dr Sara McLean | Psychologist | - | Emerging Minds | SA |
Ms Jade Houghton | Speech Pathologist | - | The Murri School | QLD |
Ms Aimee MacGougan | Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist | - | Child Development Service - Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service | QLD |
Dr Brenton Maxwell | Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist | - | Mindlink Psychology | WA |
Dr Harry Blagg | Professor & Senior Honorary Research Fellow | - | The University of Western Australia | WA |
Ms Alana Muir | Senior Occupational Therapist | - | Child Development Service - Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service | QLD |
Dr Carol Bower | Senior Principal Research Fellow | - | Telethon Kids Institute | WA |
Dr Heather Douglas | Professor of Criminal Law | - | University of Melbourne | VIC |
Ms Susan Evans | Social Worker | - | NSW Health | NSW |
Ms Maria Koupos | Speech Pathologist | - | VicFAS | VIC |
Dr Tracy Tsang | Senior Research Fellow | - | The University of Sydney | NSW |
Dr Karen Moritz | Professor, Associate Dean of Research. Faculty of Medicine | - | The University of Queensland | QLD |
Dr Hayley Passmore | Lecturer | - | The University of Western Australia | WA |
Ms Nirosha Boaden | Senior Specialist in Mental Health Social Worker | - | NT Health | NT |
Ms Erin More | Senior Speech Pathologist | - | Child Development Service - Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service | QLD |
Ms Chantele Edlington | Senior Speech Pathologist & Senior Advisor for Justice and Mental Health | Speech Pathology Australia | Monash Health | VIC |
Ms Mary Woodward | Speech Pathologist; Senior Advisor Justice | Speech Pathology Australia | Speech Pathology Australia | NSW |
Ms Shanon Whiting | Carer | - | - | QLD |
Ms Tracey Biehn | Social Worker | - | QLD Health | QLD |
Ms Jane Stewart | Special Projects | - | Legal Aid | WA |
Dr Barbara Lucas | Specialist Paediatric Physiotherapist; Post-doc research fellow | - | NSW Health & University of Sydney | NSW |
Ms Sharon Wallace | Carer | - | - | QLD |
Ms Stella Martin | Speech Pathologist | - | Youth Justice | QLD |
Ms Diane Mayers | Team Leader | - | Youth Justice | NT |
Dr Tracey Harbour | Parent of child with FASD | - | FASD Advisory Committee and Telethon Kids Institute | QLD |
Ms Geraldine Kirkcaldie | Parent of child with FASD | - | Education Queensland | QLD |
Ms Hannah Mawbey | Principal Practice Officer | - | Youth Justice | QLD |
Ms Heather Jones | Senior Manager FASD Projects | FASD Hub | Telethon Kids Institute | WA |