When a special needy child is born, the diagnosis and guidance are extremely important so that the acceptance process of the real, not the expected child, can be facilitated. This study aimed to look into and analyze health (Medicine and Nursing) professionals and students' conceptions about their own capabilities and experiences in providing diagnosis and guidance to parents of special needs children. Data were collected through individual interviews which were, then, submitted to a content analysis. (Bardin, 1977) The identified categories have indicated the health professionals did not feel technically prepared to offer diagnosis and guidance to those parents.
Health; Professional identity; Diagnostic; Special child; Special needs