Who could benefit from genetic counseling?

• Previous child or close relative with a birth defect, developmental delay, mental retardation, behavior disorder,early onset hearing loss or genetic syndrome
• Pregnancy issues, including mothers who will be 35 years or older at delivery, those with abnormal  prenatal screening tests and/or with abnormal ultrasound findings, or histories of stillbirths or miscarriages
• Prenatal or preconceptional exposures to medication, drugs/alcohol, or other substances and environmental agents
• History of infertility 
• Family history of a known inherited condition or chromosomal abnormality
• Increased risk for specific inherited conditions, based on ethnic background
• Known carrier status for an inherited condition
• Multiple family members with similar types of cancer
• A family history of mental illness or neurological disease such as Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease
• A family history of adult onset disorders such as diabetes heart disease, kidney disease, blindness or deafness.

What is the goal of genetic counseling?

Genetic counselors provide accurate, current, and comprehensive information regarding inherited conditions. The goal of genetic counseling is the help an individual understand information regarding medical care, reproductive risks, and testing alternatives so that informed decisions for themselves and their families can be made. Genetic counselors may suggest testing considerations but do not endorse a particular course of action or treatment. These decisions are made by the individual or family in conjunction with their physician and with support from the genetic counselor.

Return