DOWN’S SYNDROME – COUNSELLING
However, if this rare hereditary type is discovered, then the parents would need to be carefully counselled and they would need to make a decision whether they should have further children because, with each pregnancy the risk would be one in four of having a child affected.
When a child is born with Down’s syndrome, the earlier diagnosis is made, the better. The parents will need counselling to cope with the normal human emotions.
The parents become depressed, they become angry and they often reject the child. Most parents overcome this initial emotion and accept the child.
Most children with Down’s syndrome can be managed at home. It is only the severely handicapped who may need institutional care.
Most children with Down’s syndrome are happy, contented individuals capable of giving and receiving love.
It is not easy for children in the type of society in which we live to feel free to discuss with their peers the fact that they have a retarded brother or sister. But in those families who adjust there is great happiness. Of course many families experience problems and the retarded child may require special schooling.
*44/71/1*
