Genetic counseling has several pieces.

• Determining the facts: finding out about the disorder and how it is likely to affect your child and family.
• Giving the information to those who need it in a sensitive and understandable way.
• Supporting the decision making process of a couple planning to have children in a non-directive way.

In order to provide genetic counseling, the counselor needs some information:

• An accurate Diagnosis
• A detailed family history
• Understanding of the medical aspects of the disorder
• Understanding the inheritance pattern (how likely it is to happen again)
• Understanding of how the information will affect the family
• Training/Experience in counseling techniques
• Understanding the concepts of health/disease/healthcare in different cultures