Dilemmas in Counselling females with the fragile X syndrome

The dilemmas in counselling a mildly retarded female with the fragile X syn drome and her retarded partner are presented. The fragile X syndrome is an X linked mental retardation disorder that affects males and, often less sev erely, females. Affected females have an increased risk of having affected offspring. The counselling of this couple was complicated by their impaired comprehens ion which subsequently impaired their thinking on the different options. Th e woman became pregnant and underwent CVS, which showed an affected male fe tus. The pregnancy was terminated. Whether nondirective counselling for thi s couple was the appropriate method is discussed and the importance of a sy stem oriented approach, through involving relatives, is stressed.