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.

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

April 2025

Australian Guidelines for Assessment and Diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder - full guidelines released.

Special Bonus Webinar: 10 - 11:30am Wed 25 June

Dr Natasha Reid from UQ’s Child Health Research Centre - who led the collaborative project involving more than 40 organisations - will be joining Insight along with a panel of special guests to provide a special 1.5 hour webinar where they will provide a comprehensive overview of the new Guidelines, including key messages and guidance for AOD, health and community services workers who are supporting individuals and families affected by the condition.

The webinar will also feature a live Q+A session where all of your questions about FASD can be addressed.

Wed 25th June 2025: 10 - 11:30 am (QLD time)

Dr Natasha Reid is a Clinical Psychologist and Senior Research Fellow at the Child Health Research Centre where she leads the Perinatal and Early Life Exposures Research Group.

Join the zoom webinar

Australian guidelines for the assessment and diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Guidelines Development Group Members

Steering Committee Members

Advisory Group Members

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