The best-known authors in the field of family and professional collaboration, this practical text instructs teachers, education professionals, and families on how to empower, collaborate, and advocate for children with special needs and how everyone involved can form lasting partnerships for the betterment of the children they live for and serve. The book has always been strong in its depiction of family systems theory, the history and current status of policy, and the principles of partnership and their application by teachers and other professionals, as well as the plethora of practical advice given to help educators find true ways to apply these principles on the job. The inclusion of authentic stories and genuine depictions of special needs people and their families only deepens the authenticity and richness of the narrative, and adds a unique and touching human element to the subject at hand. Backed by the most recent research and evidence-based practices, the authors have brought all citations and references in this edition up to date (2009). This new edition features: more families and their unique stories, including a Marine Corps family, and a single-parent family; more coverage of secondary students, and an overall broader range of disabilities; more cultural diversity and examples of families from different ethnic backgrounds; and the book now portrays a family’s entire lifespan.