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