When Diagnoses Overlap: FASD, Autism & ADHD
Fri, 19 June
|Online Webinar
Co-occurrence and differential diagnosis between FASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders 1 CPD Hour
Time & Location
19 June 2026, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm AEST
Online Webinar
About the event
Alcohol is a potent teratogen that can easily cross the placenta and can lead to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). FASD is characterised by severe difficulties across multiple neurodevelopmental domains and is associated with a range of adverse life outcomes. Associated features can include growth restriction, microcephaly and a characteristic pattern of facial differences. How FASD is diagnosed differs across the globe, with new Australian Guidelines released in 2025.
Children with a history of prenatal alcohol exposure are at higher risk of being diagnosed with other neurodevelopmental conditions, including Autism and Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), than the general population. In this presentation, Dr Tania Pomario and Dr Liz Eggins will draw on research and clinical practice to explore the co-occurrence of FASD with Autism and ADHD, shared features, possible mechanisms, and ways of differentiating the conditions in practice.
Meet the Presenters
Dr Tania Pomario
Tania completed her training in Clinical and Neuropsychology in South Africa. She is the clinical director of Wellbeing in Mind Psychological Services, a private practice in Brisbane, Australia, which focusses on providing high quality developmental assessments for individuals across the lifespan.
Tania previously worked in private practice in Cape Town for over 10 years and taught at undergraduate and post-graduate level at the University of Cape Town and the University of Stellenbosch. Since relocating to Brisbane in early 2019, she has been working in a clinical and research position at Griffith University on a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) study. Her role there mainly involves providing supervision for the team conducting complex diagnostic assessments of young children (aged 3-7 years). Her work there was the catalyst for the pivot from her previous focus on geriatrics to developmental neuropsychology.
Tania has a special interest in the assessment of individuals across the lifespan to assist with the identification of developmental delays and differences. She believes that early identification and intervention is key to supporting individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders and allowing them to achieve their full potential.
Dr Elizabeth (Liz) Eggins
Liz is a Clinical Psychologist and the assessment team leader at Wellbeing in Mind Psychological Services.
Prior to and during her Clinical Psychology training, Liz worked for over 12 years at Brisbane universities in teaching and research roles. In addition to her role at Wellbeing in Mind, Liz currently works as a clinician-researcher in the Perinatal Wellbeing Team at Metro North Mental Health (Queensland Health) with a focus on neurodevelopmental conditions in the perinatal period. She also continues to contribute to research in FASD and related areas.
Liz has a special interest in neurodevelopmental assessments and is trained in a range of neuropsychological tools to support assessments across the life-course. She has substantial experience with many different presentations, including: Autism, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, learning difficulties, cognitive and executive function difficulties, and general childhood development (e.g., Global Developmental Delay).
Liz is passionate about providing a neuro-affirming approach to assessment and treatment, and she fosters this passion through ongoing professional development and training in this space. Her practice is informed by the social model of disability, which attributes disability to a ‘misfit’ between the person and their environment rather than deficits within the person.