Purpose: Worldwide there are currently a range of criteria being utilised to undertake FASD diagnosis. The aim of our study was to collect up-to-date information regarding current criteria and assessment tools that are being utilised across diagnostic clinics. Furthermore, we were interested to collect detailed information from clinicians and researchers who lead FASD diagnostic clinics regarding (1) their experiences in providing assessment and diagnosis (e.g. any difficulties they encounter in their practice), (2) whether they thought it would be possible to develop a unified international approach, (3) if they thought there was a need for a unified approach and (4) what would be the potential barriers and facilitators to a unified international approach to diagnosis.

Methods: An online survey was created using REDCap. Clinics were located via internet searches, contacted via email and provided with a link to the online survey. If clinics did not initially respond to the email, they were also followed up with phone calls and further emails. Quantitative data are presented using descriptive statistics. Qualitative survey responses were analysed using two methods. First, data were analysed using Leximancer, a text analytics tool that provides a bird’s eye view of the conceptual structure of the open text responses. The second stage of the qualitative analysis process involved independent thematic analysis of the open text responses.

Results: Fifty-five unique clinic responses were collected via the online survey (excluding Canada, as they recently completed their own country-wide clinic survey). A wide range, and frequently a combination of diagnostic criteria are being used across clinics. Detailed results will be provided describing the pattern of findings. Notably, 90.7% of respondents indicated that an international unified approach to FASD diagnosis would be possible and is needed. Participants provided detailed responses regarding difficulties experienced in their practice and barriers and facilitators that will be discussed.

Conclusions: The results of the current study provide important findings regarding the experiences and perspectives from FASD diagnostic clinics. There is a strong consensus that a unified approach is possible to achieve and is required. However, key barriers and facilitators identified from the current study need to be considered to enable success.