Parents of Down's syndrome babies: their early needs.

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.