The Benefits of a diagnosis

I got an email a couple of days ago asking if there were any benefits to getting a diagnosis of FAS. It's not like there is a cure or even a pill that keeps it in check. Also, it doesn't cause a person pain and it certainly shouldn't change the way you feel about your child, resulting in you loving them less, so what would be the point in getting a diagnosis, you ask.

For one, not knowing for sure, and, or, always wondering if I was imagining certain things, would wear on me over time. I think I would drive myself crazy wondering if everything I noticed that was different was just in my head or something related to FAS.

For us, a diagnosis was crucial in helping to understand exactly what it was that was causing her delays and outrageous behaviors. I don't want to call it her excuse, but in reality, it kind of is. It helped us to find where her weakest areas are and get her services to address these areas.... without a diagnosis I believe, she would still be struggling and our understanding of her disability would remain a mystery. Without an IEP, we would definitely all be frustrated (including her) lacking the knowledge of how to address our daughter's individual needs.

Here is a picture of what she used to write on her own. I call it her busywork because she likes to look like she is doing something important, yet it is simply copying the one sentence she learned when she first began to read. A pretty basic and rote activity. Without an IEP, I believe Sveta would still be doing this on a regular basis.


With her IEP, she is challenged, and is expected to work to her full potential. This was what she recently wrote for the district writing assessment. She is very proud of her work and you can see the sense of accomplishment that she feels.