Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder - more NDP incompetence

It is hard to believe, but the Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder program in Thompson appears to be no longer functional. As I understand it, the coordinator left in June and has not yet been replaced. It would have been far better to have a coordinator in place before the last one left. As well, Dr. Leigh Wincott, the pediatrician who oversaw the program has moved to Edmonton. This is an essential program. When my staff person called last week, he was told the program was non-functioning. This is very sad, because it is important to identify children with FASD early so that they can be helped. At the conference I attended recently, there is growing evidence that early diagnosis can make a big difference to a child and the family in helping to improve the child's development and in decreasing some of the major problems later on.