A neuropsychologist who works with children who have foetal alcohol syndrome says the disorder is a national travesty and needs funding to address.
Speaking at a symposium on the disorder at Auckland Universitym, Dr Valerie McGinn said foetal alcohol syndrome was not funded or treated in New Zealand.
Dr McGinn says children with the syndrome are treated through mental health services, but it is ineffective if the underlying syndrome is not recognised.
She said this had caused a lot of damage.
Dr McGinn says services dealing with foetal alcohol syndrome need funding because the problem is too big to address without government support.