What services are available from the HSE?

There is no national strategy in Ireland for the prevention of FASD or for the response to children and adults with FASD. There are however a number of policies and strategies that include the support of people living with neuro-developmental disabilities in Ireland. This means that the following services should be made available to anyone with a diagnosis of FASD, or who is seeking a diagnosis of FASD.

CAMHs Consultant Psychiatrist

This is an absolutely valuable service. You might be wondering why both you and your child would receive regular three monthly appointments with CAMHs, however there are a number of reasons:

• The appointment time allocated is usually up to an hour. This will give both you and your child an opportunity to talk about issues that have arisen since the last appointment; be that at home, at school or generally. The CAMHs Consultant Psychiatrist has a wealth of knowledge about FASD and will be able to offer you both many different coping strategies. CAMHs can also work directly with the school SENCo. and are able to help teachers with alternative approaches to learning - especially if something or someone in particular is causing an issue for your child in school. Whilst you may not realise it, this appointment is an opportunity for you both to release some of the pressure that has built up by sharing your experiences with a genuinely impartial listening ear.
• Medication prescriptions to support your child with the symptoms of their FASD are often controlled drugs and can only be issued by the CAMHs Consultant Psychiatrist. Your GP will either not be allowed to write the prescription, or will not feel comfortable providing it. This is because your GP will not have regular assessment appointments with your child to review the medication.
• Your child's height, weight and blood pressure will be taken at each appointment to monitor their growth - you will often hear the word "percentile" which describes where they belong as an average of 100 children with their chronological age. The measurements taken also ensure that the medication and prescription is appropriate for your child whilst they are growing.
• CAMHs can organise support for your child with an Occupational Therapist (OT) As well as being extremely helpful for your child to learn ways of coping with daily tasks, an OT report is usually required by the school SENCo. so that they are able to support an application to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) for funding for a Special Needs Assistant (SNA)

Adult Mental Health Services

Whilst Ireland has an extensive Adult Mental Health Service, sadly support for Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is lacking across most counties. We would recommend that a person living with FASD registers with their local Adult Mental Health Service to be able to continue to obtain medical prescriptions and specific interventions where required.

Long Term Illness Scheme (LTI) - Medication

If you or your child has a diagnosis of FASD or one of the many co-morbid conditions (including ADHD) and have been prescribed medication, then you or your child may qualify for LTI (Long Term Illness) support. This means that there should be no charge for the prescribed medication - so long as it is included in the LTI approved list of medications.

Here is the link for the LTI application form:

https://www2.hse.ie/file-library/long-term-illness/long-term-illness-scheme-application-form.pdf

When completing this form, depending on the diagnosis held, you should apply using the category 'Mental Health Condition - Under 16' or 'Intellectual Disability'. Whist the diagnosis will not have been made by your GP, they will be able to complete the form for you. Your GP will have received written confirmation of your child's diagnosis from the Paediatrician or CAMHs Specialist along with the date of diagnosis.

It is important to remember that the HSE do not currently provide much support or recognition of FASD, and as such many prescribed medications suitable to help people living with FASD - typically Melatonin Capsules, Tyvence and ConcertaXL - are not covered by the LTI scheme for anyone older than 16. 

Please remember that upon a child reaching the age of 16 the LTI will expire and a new application must be made. You will not be reminded of this, so please make a new application in good time to ensure that medication can be provided without charge.

If you need any help or assistance with the LTI Scheme, please contact FASD Hub Ireland

The HSE LTI Helpline may be contacted at 0818 224 478 or 01 864 7100. Alternatively the email address is clientregistration@hse.ie Please quote your case reference number or PPN, as this will help the advisor to locate the application.