Mackenzie FASD Diagnostic Clinic
The Mackenzie FASD Diagnostic Clinic is for individuals who are experiencing difficulties that are suspected to be a result of prenatal exposure to alcohol. If you or someone you know is needing support, contact us.
Looking to Get a Dignosis?
Anyone may be referred to clinic, however we require:
Signed consent from the individual and/or legal guardians
Signed Consent to Disclose Health Information form
Completed referral form
Confirmation of prenatal alcohol exposure (assistance in gathering this information can be provided by the clinic)
Access to the individuals birth records
Get Started:
Contact:
Meet Our Diagnostic Team
Our multidisciplinary team takes and individualized approach to best access each person’s unique strengths and challenges. Once identified, we aim to provide lifelong supports and strategies for success.
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Dr. J. Leigh Wincott
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Communicating Together Inc. - Shawna Lee Jessiman
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Randall Symes Psychological Services
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Depending on the needs of the individual the clinic team may also include additional specialists.
i.e. Occupational Therapists
The Diagnostic Process
FASD is diagnosed bases on evidence from 10 brain domain that may have been impacted by prenatal exposure to alcohol.
The 10 domains:
Neuroanatomy
Cognition
Language
Academic Development
Memory
Attention
Executive Functioning
Affect Regulation
Adaptive Functioning and Social Language
Motor skills
Learn more about what an FASD diagnosis means
History of the Diagnostic Clinic
The NWR FASD Society held its first Diagnostic clinic in the spring of 2003 under the coordination of Colleen Burns. Clinics continued until 2006, when funding became increasing difficult to get.
In the fall of 2006, the Society began advocating for either CFSA or Health to take responsibility for the FASD Diagnostic Clinics in the Mackenzie Region. The Northwestern Health Region CEO, Bernie Blais, agreed to fund the coordination of the FASD clinic within the High Level hospital.
Overcoming obstacles such as changes in health region, changes in coordinators, and funding clarification the Northwestern Primary Care Network began FASD clinics in earnest in the spring of 2009. Collaboration with the NWR FASD Society-Mackenzie Network and the NW Primary Care Network resulted in Youth FASD clinics once again being offered in the Mackenzie Region.
The FASD coordinator position was funded under Mental Health, but the clinic was run under the umbrellas of the PCN Youth and Complex Needs Coordinator, with funding for the pediatrician and neuropsych covered by the FASD Society with FASD Network, education and CYS funding. The Speech assessment was covered through the hospital. Collaboration among stakeholders in the Mackenzie region proved to be at the heart of the success of the PCN FASD clinics.
In the fall of 2010, AHS Mental Health withdrew the coordinator funding and position. Again through collaboration and advocating, the Northwest Primary Care Network once again stepped forward and agreed to fund the FASD youth clinics to a maximum of 24 until March of 2012.
In 2011 the Northwest Primary Care Network continued to fund the FASD Diagnostic Youth Clinic, with clinic coordination for the last 7 months being done by the NWR FASD Society – Mackenzie Network until a clinic coordinator can be hired. The SLP and OT assessments are covered by AHS.
The local Diagnostic Team consists of pediatrician, neuropsych, SLP, OT, CFSA, Fort Vermilion School Division, NWR FASD Society, justice and support from the NW Primary Care Network.