Home-School Partnerships That Benefit Children with Special Needs

Education of the Handicapped Amendments, PL99-457, which will go into effect in 1991, provides federal mandate and financial backing for comprehensive services for families of children with disabilities. In order to take advantage of the provisions of this law, professionals must be cognizant of family needs and of the ways their agencies can appropriately respond to diverse families. This article summarizes research about the effects that children with disabilities have on their families and the influences of families on children's handicapping conditions and adjustment. The needs and situations of families of children with severe disabilities are distinguished from those whose children have schoolidentified, mild handicaps. Potential problems in expanding professional support for families are identified and guidelines are offered for effective home-school partnerships. I suggest that support systems be comprehensive, flexible, and voluntary in nature and that outcomes of programming be specified and clearly conveyed to parents. A discussion of the issues related to preparing school personnel for interactions with and programming for families is included.