Genetic counselling

Inform older siblings know about genetic counselling and where they can find it.

Whatever the nature or cause of their brother or sister's condition, many teenage siblings have some concerns about genetic issues. Adult siblings tell us that genetic issues play a large part in their thinking about the future.

If your sibling child is a teenager or young adult, these are some of the questions they may currently have:

• Will I have a child who is disabled or very ill?
• Does having a brother or sister with this condition make me more likely to have a child with it?
• Is this condition inherited and will I pass it on to my children?
• Where can I get help to make decisions about having children of my own?
• Will my future partner be concerned about the fact that my brother or sister is disabled?

Most siblings find it very hard to discuss these concerns with their parents. However, it is important to acknowledge to your son or daughter that some siblings have concerns about having children of their own.  Let him or her know that people can get information from a genetics counsellor about the risk of having a disabled child.  If they want to do this at some time in the future, they can ask their GP to make a referral for them or they can contact their nearest genetics centre.

For a list of regional genetics centres in the UK follow the link below:

http://www.gig.org.uk/services.htm

For more information on genetics for yourself or an older sibling see Contact a Family website http://www.cafamily.org.uk/inherita.html