The unmet concerns of twins with special needs: Diagnostic challenges and service recommendations

Abstract

The quality of services provided to families of twins with special needs (SPNs) was examined in a US-based study. Participants included 30 parents with monozygotic (n=8) or dizygotic (n=22) twin pairs. Parents completed questionnaires containing quantitative and qualitative components addressing the circumstances and challenges surrounding their twins' diagnoses. Areas of unmet concerns included contact with other parents, respite care and grief counseling. Beneficial services included early interventions (eg, occupational and physical therapy). Several resources were identified as not providing sufficient benefit (eg, inadequate state resources). These findings underline the need to improve methods by which knowledge and support are disseminated to parents regarding diagnostic information and service availability. Practitioner and service recommendations are provided.