Gippsland Lakes Complete Health (GLCH) is working to raise awareness and understanding of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in East Gippsland.
As many as 50 per cent of pregnancies in Victoria are alcohol exposed.
FASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder related to alcohol consumption during any stage of a pregnancy, which can lead to cognitive, learning and behavioural challenges.
GLCH worked with FASDConnect, a Department of Health
funded program delivered by Monash Health, to present a local forum in Lakes Entrance aimed at health workers, educators, allied health professionals and child protection workers.
The forum aimed to enhance understanding and improve the diagnosis of FASD in children, particularly those in out-of-home care or at risk.
FASDConnect clinical coordinator and senior social worker Prue Walker says early
identification and assessment of children who might be at risk of FASD is important.
“It’s an issue that all health providers need to be aware of as well as education services and child protection. It’s not just something you assess and screen, it’s also about recognition in the community,” Prue said.
“We know that children with FASD have pretty poor outcomes long term, they have a lot of risks when they don’t get early recognition and diagnosis.
A diagnosis will enable a child to get access to NDIS support which really helps in the early stages and later
in life.
“It also helps the child and their carer recognise what’s going on. It allows people to work differently when they know that the person has a diagnosis.”
Gippsland Lakes Complete Health registered nurse Aisha Ta’ala said raising awareness of FASD in the community was crucial.
“I’m here learning about FASD, what it is and how to assess for it and the supports that can be put in place,” she said.
“We are learning, and we can share with the community our learnings. It’s so important to understand the pathways that are out there to help our clients”.
GLCH is the coordinating agency of the Pathway to Good Health (PTGH) program in East Gippsland. This is a program that works alongside child protection workers to ensure the health needs of the child in an out of home care placement are met.
Prue Walker said around 50 per cent of pregnancies have alcohol exposure.
“Interestingly, it’s often the higher socioeconomic groups that have a higher rate of exposure,
and that’s consistent across Victoria,” she said.
“So, it’s not just an issue that affects low socio-economic families, or families that are struggling with alcohol or drug use.
“Because many pregnancies are unplanned, people who drink socially and may become pregnant without realising it can be at increased risk of having a child with FASD. It’s something we need to keep talking about and raise more awareness around.”
