FOETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER
September 14, 2011
House of Representatives
12 September 2011
FOETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER
The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Dr Stone—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an overarching term used to describe a range of
physical, mental, behavioural, learning and development disorders that can result from foetal
exposure to alcohol; and
(b) FASD is reported to be the greatest cause of non-congenital, irreversible and permanent brain
damage to new-borns in Australia; and
(2) calls upon the Australian:
(a) Parliament to continue to facilitate and support the development of a FASD national
diagnostic tool for the use of medical professionals and other health service providers; and
(b) Government to:
(i) give FASD the status of a recognised disability in Australia;
(ii) institute a national awareness campaign to raise community awareness of the risks to the
unborn child when alcohol is consumed in pregnancy and highlight the potential
cognitive and developmental consequences for affected individuals as these pertain to
service providers, law enforcement and justice, the community sector and education; and
(iii) give support to the development of models of care and helping strategies for families
and individuals dealing with the impacts of FASD.
—And on the amendment moved thereto by Dr Stone, viz.—That the motion be amended to read—That the House:
(1) notes that:
(a) Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an overarching term used to describe a range of
physical, mental, behavioural, learning and development disorders that can result from foetal
exposure to alcohol; and
(b) FASD is reported to be the greatest cause of non-inherited, irreversible and permanent brain
damage to new-borns in Australia; and
(2) calls upon the Australian:
(a) Parliament to continue to facilitate and support the development of a FASD national
diagnostic tool for the use of medical professionals and other health service providers; and
(b) Government to:
(i) give those with FASD access to disability support funding and services, where
appropriate;
(ii) institute a campaign to raise community awareness of the risks to the unborn child when
alcohol is consumed in pregnancy and highlight the potential cognitive and
developmental consequences for affected individuals as these pertain to service
providers, law enforcement and justice, the community sector and education; and
(iii) give support to the development of models of care and helping strategies for families
and individuals dealing with the impacts of FASD
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