A profile of young Albertans with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Abstract

Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) experience lifelong neurocognitive, behavioural, and physical challenges. This report profiled 3,025 Albertans (0 to 25 years old) with FASD from 2005/06 to 2010/11. Analyses examined these individuals’ sociodemographic characteristics and public service use patterns. This report found that persons who were male, living in Northwest/North Central Alberta, and living in the lowest socioeconomic areas were more likely to receive an FASD diagnosis than the rest of the population. The report also found that young Albertans with FASD diagnoses had higher rates of public service and income support use, criminal offending, poorer health outcomes, and less educational achievement than those not diagnosed with FASD. These findings provide evidence that collaborative programming, resourcing and planning may enhance service delivery and improve outcomes for children with FASD in Alberta.