ABSTRACT
Developing early childhood intervention programs and practices for families raising children with developmental delays or disabilities is well documented in the literature. Many of the articles reviewed by the author in this chapter highlight the relationship between parents and their children and parents and practitioners, which eventually represents a key foundation for successful early childhood intervention strategies (Blue-Banning, Summers, Frankland, Nelson, & Beegle, 2004; Bruder, 2010; Dunst & Dempsey, 2007; Dodd, Saggers, & Wildy, 2009; Espe-Sherwindt, 2008). The importance of partnerships between families and practitioners have been found in many studies and identify that the provision of early support enables families to better engage with their children in a responsive and interactive style (KPMG, 2014). Hence, in delivering family-centred practices, it is essential for practitioners to recognise and understand the diversity in families’ needs, priorities and desires, and focus on working with children in the context of the family unit and not as an isolated case of child support. This chapter will aim to explore family-practitioner relationships with a particular focus on early childhood intervention programs and explore the effect of developing positive partnerships on the future trajectory of children with developmental delays or disabilities.
