Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Drug Exposure Center
Claire D. Coles, Ph.D.
Director, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Drug Exposure Center
About Us
In the U.S., about one out of every 1,000 children is born with fetal alcohol syndrome, with more than 3,500 Georgia children affected every year.* About 10 times that many are affected with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD),* which may not be as severe as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) but still affect learning and development. Thousands of children in Georgia are exposed to drugs through maternal use during pregnancy.
The Marcus Autism Center Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Drug Exposure Center is the only multidisciplinary pediatric center of its kind in the Southeast, providing treatment for children exposed to alcohol and other drugs. At this clinic, specialists in many different fields treat children from birth to 21 years of age.
What are Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)?
When a child is exposed to alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription medications, the child’s physical and intellectual development can be affected. Children affected by FASD require expert diagnosis and intervention to overcome pervasive developmental disorders. If you believe your child has FASD, consider these symptoms:
- Characteristic facial features (e.g., thin upper lip, decreased eye distance, smooth philtrum)
- Below average height, weight and head circumference
- Developmental delays, learning and behavioral problems
Services
The Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Drug Exposure Center offers many diagnostic and support services for families seeking care for a child affected by FASD, including:
- Differential diagnosis of FASD
- Educational consultation and testing
- Math Interactive Learning Experience (MILE) program
- Medical and genetic evaluations
- Neurodevelopmental and psychological testing
- Parent coaching and behavior management
- Parent workshops and Web-based educational interventions
- Psychotherapy
- Social work services
The Team
The multidisciplinary nature of this program ensures parents only have to travel to one location for all of their child’s treatment needs. Our team members include:
- Neurodevelopmental and clinical psychologists
- Nurse coordinator
- Pediatric geneticist
- Special educators
As every member of the team collaborates to develop each child’s treatment plan, this results in more consistent, quality care guided by the entire team.
Contact
Call 404-785-9400 for more information about the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Drug Exposure Center.
Special Project
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Socio-Cognitive Habilitation
Download Information
D.F.C.S. New Patient Packet pt 1 D.F.C.S. New Patient Packet pt 2
D.F.C.S. Return Visit or Follow up Packet pt 1 D.F.C.S. Return Visit or Follow up Packet pt 2
Non-D.F.C.S. New Patient Packet
Non-D.F.C.S. Return Visit or Follow up Packet
Referral
If you are interested in having your child evaluated by our team, you must obtain a physician referral and/or complete the steps to make a new patient appointment.
Fax the physician referral to our intake specialist at 404-785-9485. Once the referral form is received by Marcus Autism Center, we will then contact you to conduct an intake interview and if appropriate, schedule your child for an evaluation.
The physician referral must include the following information:
- Child's name
- Child's date of birth
- Child's diagnosis
- Reasons for referral
- Primary caregiver's name (i.e. parent or legal guardian) and contact information
- Referring physician's name and contact information
Additional Resources
http://www.emory.edu/MSACD
*Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)