Genetic Counselling: A Consideration of the Potential and Key Obstacles to Assisting Parents Adapt to a Child with Learning Disabilities

Abstract

The provision of genetic counselling is now a key strategy aiming to reduce the number of children born with learning and other disabilities. Most professionals have some understanding of the possible genetic origins of learning disabilities and the majority will come in contact with parents who have received genetic counselling. However, despite these apparent familiarities within the subject area, many health, social care and education professionals with learning disability services do not appear to reflect on the wider issues associated with the possible mixed consequences of genetic counselling. The wider impact of receiving personal genetic information needs to be appreciated by all professionals involved in providing support to families of children with learning disabilities. In particular, how this may assist or hinder parents and other family members adapt to the presence of learning disabilities in a child. This paper considers the reported advantages and limitations of genetic counselling as a key strategy in the reduction of the genetic causes of learning disabilities in children. It also outlines some practical and research steps that could be taken to further enhance the contribution of genetic counselling in services for people with learning disabilities.