Genetic counselors assist patients and their families in understanding genetic diseases and how to make an educated decision based on genetic information. They advise on the risk of inherited diseases by interpreting the medical histories of the patients and their families. They provide counseling on the consequences of the genetic disorders as well as the likelihood of developing and/or transmitting them. They also counsel on the management plans, preventive measures and other resources.  

  

National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) Practice Guidelines by Topic

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• Alzheimer Disease

• Cancer Risk

• Consanguinity

• Cystic Fibrosis

• Down Syndrome

• Fabry Disease

• Fragile X Syndrome

• Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer

• Human Pedigree Nomenclature

• Lynch

• Neurofibromatosis Type 1

• Prenatal Screening

• Recurrent Miscarriage

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Disclaimer:

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“The practice guidelines of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) are developed by members of the NSGC to assist genetic counselors and other health care providers in making decisions about appropriate management of genetic concerns; including access to and/or delivery of services. Each practice guideline focuses on a clinical or practice-based issue, and is the result of a review and analysis of current professional literature believed to be reliable. As such, information and recommendations within the NSGC practice guidelines reflect the current scientific and clinical knowledge at the time of publication, are only current as of their publication date, and are subject to change without
notice as advances emerge.

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In addition, variations in practice, which take into account the needs of the individual patient and the resources and limitations unique to the institution or type of practice, may warrant approaches, treatments and/or procedures that differ from the recommendations outlined in this guideline. Therefore, these recommendations should not be construed as dictating an exclusive course of management, nor does the use of such recommendations guarantee a particular outcome. Genetic counseling practice guidelines are never intended to displace a health care provider’s best medical judgment based on the clinical circumstances of a particular patient or patient population. Practice guidelines are published by NSGC for educational and informational purposes only, and NSGC does not “approve” or “endorse” any specific methods, practices, or sources of information.”

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© National Society of Genetic Counselors. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the prior written consent of the NSGC.