The New Jersey Regional Diagnostic Centers use the diagnostic system developed at the University of Washington Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention and Diagnostic Network (FASPDN), and the Centers thank the staff of the FASPDN for their innovation and commitment to refining the diagnostic criteria for FAS. The N.J. diagnostic system describes the severity of the expression of the effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol by examining deficits in growth, facial abnormalities, brain function, and confirmation of prenatal exposure to alcohol. Each of these features is described briefly below along with photographs provided by the University of Washington for demonstration purposes. Because FAS is considered a lifelong birth defect, it needs to be diagnosed by a medical physician. This usually is a developmental pediatrician, or a dysmorphologist. Other professionals needed for a thorough diagnosis include, but are not limited to, a psychologist, LDTC, speech-language therapist, occupational and/or physical therapist, and a psychiatrist.

The main features of the University of Washington diagnostic system can be reviewed using by visiting http://depts.washington.edu/fasdwa/Diagnosis.htm. Families and professionals (see http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fas/awareness.htm) are encouraged to review this presentation to learn how the formal diagnoses of FAS and FASD are made. The four digit code system can be viewed on line at http://www.nofas.org/healthcare/indicators.aspx.