Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder service (CICADA Centre NSW)

Contact

Phone: (02) 7825 2446

Email: [email protected]   

Clinic Location: Department of Adolescent Medicine, Level 1, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Corner Hawkesbury Road and Hainsworth Street, Westmead NSW 2145

Clinic Days: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays 

About our service

What does the FASD service do? 

The FASD service is part of The CICADA Centre NSW. Our service provides assessments for babies, children and young people between 0-17 years of age for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

Our team completes a holistic and comprehensive assessment of a child's neurodevelopmental and psychosocial situation, identifying their strengths and areas that may need support. 

An assessment for FASD involves:

  1. Confirmation of prenatal alcohol exposure  
  2. Comprehensive medical assessment, including looking for facial and other physical features of FASD
  3. Multidisciplinary neurodevelopmental assessments 

Following an assessment, we provide personalised and practical recommendations that will support the child's development.

Our team includes:

  • Paediatricians
  • Neuropsychologist
  • Speech Pathologist
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Social Worker
  • Clinical Nurse Consultant
  • Aboriginal Care Navigators

Referral process for clinicians

Our department is using to manage referrals.鈥疶he Consultmed platform allows health professionals to send e-referrals to us securely. 鈥� 

The FASD service accepts referrals from paediatricians and other medical specialists. Documentation confirming alcohol exposure should accompany the specialist鈥檚 referral. Please also provide previous assessments/reports. 

Don鈥檛 have a Consultmed account?

to refer to our clinics.

Consultmed questions and technical support: [email protected]

Referral and appointment process for parents and carers

Am I eligible?

You will need a referral from a Paediatrician or other medical specialist to be seen at the FASD clinic. 

Referrals from GPs are accepted for our Baby Clinic. Documentation confirming alcohol exposure is also necessary to accompany the specialist鈥檚 referral. 

Making a referral

Our department is using Consultmed to manage referrals. The Consultmed platform allows health professionals to send e-referrals to us securely. 

Please ask your referrer to complete the referral via Consultmed. 

 

Tracking the referral

Once we receive the referral, you will be sent an email with your tracking information. We will update you as we process the referral and book your appointment. To receive these updates, please ask your referring clinician to include your email on the referral.  

If your clinician has questions about Consultmed or require technical support, they can contact [email protected] 

Need support?

If you need help or have questions about the referral and appointment process, please contact us on (02) 7825 2446. 

Our clinics and training

CICADA FASD FAST Track clinic

If enough information has been gathered on a referral, we can progress to a FAST Track appointment. 

Referring doctors (such as GPs, Paediatricians or other medical specialists) will be offered a case conference with at least three of our team members. 

The case conference will:

  • Offer consultation to the referrer and provide recommendations for interventions and supports that address the individual needs of the child.     
  • Provide an opportunity for the referrer to ask the CICADA FASD team any questions they may have. 
  • Give suggestions to the referrer on how to provide feedback of the outcome to the family. 

If the referral is accepted into the Fast Track framework, we require:

  • Genetics: Fragile X and Microarray
  • Baseline Bloods including:鈥疎UC, LFT, FBC, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus,鈥疌reatine鈥�'CK', B12, Vit鈥疍, Glucose, TFT, Differential鈥痓loods, Iron, Transferrin ,Ferritin
  • Urine Metabolic Screen
  • Photos:鈥痯lease make sure you use an appropriate sticker that is 20mm -  the FASD Clinic can send stickers if needed
  • Blue book with birth measurements if possible  

CICADA FASD Baby clinic

The CICADA FASD Baby Clinic run five times a year and prioritises children aged 0-3 years of age The Baby Clinic recognises the importance of early intervention and seeks to provide education and support to families/carers and involved services/clinicians.

Please note we do accept GP referrals for children aged 0-3 years of age. 

Clinical training for professionals

We deliver training designed for health professionals diagnosing or caring for patients with FASD. 

Clinical resources and expression of interestGo to FASD clinical hub

Support for Aboriginal young people and families

We strive to promote and support the delivery of culturally safe and accessible care to Aboriginal bubs, kids and families attending the CICADA FASD service. 

As part of our team, we have two Aboriginal Care Navigators, Josh, a proud Wiradjuri man, and Lauren, a proud Bundjalung women. Josh and Lauren can walk alongside your journey with CICADA, helping to: 

  1. Provide support at appointments and be a friendly face to have a yarn with! 
  2. Support you in talking with and providing information to the clinical team 
  3. Advocate for cultural needs in terms of appointments, assessment and recommendations for care 
  4. Engage young people with outreach in community 
  5. Connect families with local Aboriginal services

Handbook for parents and carers

Information about your first appointment and what to expect.

Key support organisations

The organisations listed below are not-for-profit support and research organisations.

They provide resources, support services and education for families, patients and clinicians.