Texas Health and Human Services / Texas Health Steps

Identification of FASD and Early Support

An early diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders—ideally between birth and age 6 years—reduces the possibility of adverse outcomes for children. Early identification and intervention prepare a child and family for treatment and facilitate access to school programs, counseling services and appropriate community programs.

Family support training

  • Promotes positive early parent-to-child interaction

  • Helps families understand and respond to the unique needs of their child. Examples include:

    • Sleeping tips for fussy infants
    • Speaking and reading to a child with speech delays
    • Working with a toddler to learn to walk

Language and literacy development

  • Promotes development of early language and literacy skills, which can be deficient in youth with FASD but are critical to academic and social success

  • Delays in skill areas such as social emotional behavior, self-help, communication, motor function and cognition may indicate a referral to Early Childhood Intervention

Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Services

Early Childhood Intervention is a statewide program provided by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) for children through age 35 months with developmental delays, disabilities and certain medical diagnoses that may impact development. Family-centered services—delivered by speech and language pathologists, nurses, psychologists and other health professionals—are provided in familiar settings such as the home.

All health-care providers are required by federal and state regulations to refer children ages 35 months and younger to ECI as soon as possible, but no later than seven days, after the suspicion or identification of a developmental delay or medical condition with a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay. Use the ECI Program Search to find providers in your area or download an ECI Physician Referral From to make a referral.

Education

  • Referral to special education services using the school district’s Other Health Impairment form so the child can receive an individualized education program and behavior intervention plan determined by the school’s Admission, Review and Dismissal Committee and the child’s parents

  • Incorporate sensory approaches to education:

    • Work with a school to reduce visual and auditory distractions
    • Use color, smell and other sensory stimulation to help enforce learning concepts

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