Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder assessment.
FASD Assessment and Diagnosis
Referrals to NDC may be completed by…
- Individuals/families/adoptive parents/foster parents/guardians
- Professionals working with the child/adult
- Agencies/caregivers/advocates
For more information contact Holly Jopling, Centre Coordinator, at 403-829-8060 or NDC@enviros.org
Enviros FASD Assessment and Diagnostic Centre (NDC)
Every step of the process is focused on the individual’s strengths and the best way to help them reach their fullest potential.
The Process at a Glance
Support the individual’s needs by addressing immediate challenges.
Contact Enviros for more information. A referral package will be sent out.
Fill out the referral package. Make deposit.
You will be contacted by the Clinic Coordinator to review the referral package and discuss the process.
Once all records and checklists are completed the first assessment date scheduled.
The Team
The Enviros NDC team is comprised of professionals who are specifically trained in FASD assessment and support. This includes physicians, pediatricians, psychologists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists and social workers. More importantly, they are passionate about helping individuals with FASD reach their potential. FASD is a lifelong disability that affects four per cent of the population, is two-and-a-half times more prevalent than autism and 28 times more prevalent than Down syndrome.
Candace Windisch
Director of Services
Sylvie Horan
FASD Intervention, FASD Evolution, Neurodevelopmental Assessment & Diagnostic Centre Manager
FASD Assessment Admissions and Fees
Enviros NDC is a part of Enviros, a non-profit social services agency based in Calgary, Alberta. Unfortunately, FASD assessments are not paid for by Alberta Health Services or other levels of government.
A limited number of grants are available each year that can cover the cost of the assessments for individuals that qualify.
Referrals are also accepted on a contract basis from other funders and must be made in the form of a directive from a post-adoption social worker, a referral and evaluation form from Children’s Services, or section 34s from the courts.
The full cost of the assessment is due when the client attends their first assessment appointment. Please contact us for more information.
Assessments are also available to individuals without a referral on a fee-for-service. Contact us for more information about cost and whether an FASD assessment is appropriate.
Contact Us to Get Started
For more information on how to refer individuals, the assessment process and whether no-cost assessments are available, contact Holly Jopling, Enviros NDC Coordinator, at 403-829-8060 or NDC@enviros.org.
The Benefits of Assessment
It’s difficult to move forward if you don’t know which direction to go. An FASD diagnosis can help individuals find the right direction for themselves and/or their children. It can also open up a range of services and supports that weren’t available without a diagnosis.
Receiving a diagnosis enables individuals to:
- Understand strengths so they can build on them.Develop personalized strategies for daily living.
- Identify professional services such as occupational therapy, counselling and others that will help with challenges such as motor skill development issues, emotional regulation and more.
- Qualify for publicly-funded supports and services that require a diagnosis. Often, these are unavailable outside of Government of Alberta programs or are prohibitively expensive.
- Assured Income for the Severely Disabled (AISH)
- Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD)
FASD FAQ
“Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a diagnostic term used to describe impacts on the brain and
body of individuals prenatally exposed to alcohol. FASD is a lifelong disability. Individuals with FASD will
experience some degree of challenges in their daily living, and need support with motor skills, physical
health, learning, memory, attention, communication, emotional regulation, and social skills to reach
their full potential. Each individual with FASD is unique and has areas of both strengths and challenges.”
Once all records and checklists are obtained and the necessary information is gathered, the first assessment date with the psychologist an assessment date will be scheduled
The referral, along with any accompanying documentation is reviewed by the clinic coordinator who will
then contact the referral source to discuss the next steps. It is important to keep in mind that referrals
received with complete documentation will be processed more rapidly. Wait times will vary.
**NOTE: NOT all referrals will proceed to the full assessment and diagnosis process.
The clinic coordinator will schedule a meet and greet appointment to go over the referral package,
explain the process and answer any questions. This appointment can be done in person or over the
phone. The signed consents from the referral package will be used to request records and information
(such as birth, health, medical, education, adoption, mental health, social service, legal and previous
assessments). It can take three months or longer for these records and information to be obtained.
NDC will send out additional consents from the psychologist to the family or go over these at the meet
and greet. The family and personnel at the current school (if applicable) will be asked to complete some
forms prior to assessment. These are checklists that provide more detailed information to the
psychologist.
Once all records and checklists are obtained and the necessary information is gathered, the first
assessment date with the psychologist will be scheduled.
- Individuals/ Families/Adoptive parents/Foster parents/Guardians
- Professionals working with the child/adult
- Agencies/Caregivers/Advocates
Prior to making a referral, we recommend that every effort be made to support the individual to achieve
stability by addressing some of their immediate challenges by accessing relevant supports for basic
needs, addictions and mental health.
A referral package will be sent out once we are contacted. Signed consent from the legal guardian(s) is
required at time of referral. Additional consent forms are included in the package.
Please complete the referral forms to the best of your ability. We realize you will not have the answers
to all the questions and the clinic coordinator can assist to obtain any unknown information.
