Medical Counseling of Parents of the Retarded

Abstract

Expansion in comprehensive programs for the chronically handicapped, and the multidisciplinary approach to evaluation, have produced problems in communica tion, not only among the professional dis ciplines concerned, but between the pro fessionals and the families seeking help. The time, expense and effort involved in the evaluation of a mentally retarded child can be largely wasted if the explanation to the parents is either inadequate or not understood. The initial interpretation in terview is particularly crucial to all fur ther treatment and habilitation attempts, and in this regard the "primary physician" is probably the most important individual the family will meet. Guidelines for counseling the parents of the retarded are outlined.