Psychosocial aspects of dealing with the child with a progressive terminal disease are discussed, particularly in relation to areas of concern for the psychologist or counselor in a residential program for visually impaired children. Areas of concern include parental and sibling attitudes and ways of coping with the fact that the child is dying, as well as the roles of teachers, houseparents, and other professionals. It is suggested that the psychologist help the family to accept the child's condition without withdrawing emotionally from the child, help the professional staff by acting as coordinator of the treatment team and aiding them in dealing with their own negative feelings toward the child, and act as a “professional friend” to the child, who must have someone with whom to discuss his fears and questions about what is happening to him.
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