PARENTS OF DOWN'S SYNDROME BABIES: THEIR EARLY NEEDS*

1 September 1977

journal article
Published by Wiley in Child: Care, Health and Development

Vol. 3 (5) , 325-347
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2214.1977.tb00056.x

Abstract

Summary The paper reports the results of detailed interviews with parents of Down's syndrome infants shortly after their being informed of the diagnosis. It reviews previous studies and confirms a number of findings. 1 The majority of parents wish to be told of the diagnosis as soon as possible and with the spouse present. 2 They do not automatically resent the ‘teller’. 3 They wish to be told directly but sympathetically, in private and have access to the baby. 4 Several interviews are needed at short intervals following the initial telling for parents to ask further questions and to assimilate more information about their child's condition.

Keywords

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