Restoring the Balance

The birth of a retarded child or a child with a developmental handicap threatens and disturbs the existing balance in the family to which the child is born. Depending on the severity of the handicap and factors within the family itself, this upset can be mild or severe, of short duration or permanent. Some characteristic aspects of this threat to parents, siblings, and relatives are discussed. The authors suggest a model for intervention by the pediatrician as he assumes responsibility in helping the family through this crisis.