[Results of parent's counseling within the framework of psychosocial care for families with cleft children].

The birth of a child with a cleft lip or palate may give rise to quite severe reactions among those concerned. Due to lacking information of the physicians and nurses in the delivery wards on this type of disability the parents are left alone with their grief, frustration and fear. Often precious time is lost until the first necessary steps in treatment are taken. The great number of highly different concepts on cleft treatment and the feeling of being considered immature and incompetent by the professionals adds to the parents' uncertainty in a situation, in which they have to take important decisions on behalf of their child. The practical experience gained in counseling and supporting parents of cleft children has shown that unless medical, psychological, pedagogic and social measures are integrated into the therapeutic approach, not even the basic prerequisites for a satisfactory early management of these children are met. The responsibility for optimum treatment rests with all those involved. Optimizing the physician patient-parents interactions is thus regarded as a possibility for promoting a favorable physical, psychosocial and mental development. Interdisciplinary cooperation between professionals from various disciplines and the integration of the family in the treatment as well as improved information to support these joint efforts will open up new avenues for the future.