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A Child With Developmental Delays

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When Mia was only two-years-old, her parents noticed that she was not up to speed with other children her age. This discovery led her to the genetics department at A.I. DuPont Children’s Hospital. For a child with developmental delays, I only saw that she lit up the room with her energy and friendly nature, which made me fall in love with her as she explored the room. While the counselor consulted her parents, Mia continued to come up to me and grab my hands, something that she apparently did quite frequently. During the appointment, her mother began to cry, worried that she may have inadvertently caused Mia’s condition during pregnancy. Her father had concerns that his first child may never be able to live a normal life and have children of her own. The counselor eased the parents’ concerns by educating them on her syndrome and basic genetics as well as getting them in contact with a support group for children with the same syndrome. Mia and her family went home well-informed and in good spirits despite the devastating news they received. This family is a prime example of the benefits of genetic counseling, and why patient care is crucial in the profession.
That experience drew me into genetic counseling, a profession that I did not know existed a year prior. I entered college with the mentality of becoming an engineer due to my interest in science, my fondness of problem solving, and the desire to help others. After I changed my major to neuroscience and gained experience

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