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The effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol are wide-ranging and pervasive in nature. In response to growing concerns about the lifelong disabilities related to prenatal alcohol exposure, a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) diagnostic clinic was established in 2012. This was the first multi-disciplinary service operating permanently within an Australian health service. The current study aimed to explore the lived experience of the diagnostic process for caregivers of children with FASD.

Twelve caregivers were approached and ten participated in audiotaped interviews about caring for a child with FASD. Qualitative analysis was undertaken on transcribed interviews using NVivo 10 for thematic analysis.

The major themes that emerged were: a desire for future support for their child although uncertainty about how this support could be accessed; an understanding of FASD prior to …