What Do Families of Children with Disabilities Really Need? Insights from Two International Surveys

What makes an early childhood intervention system truly effective? What are the real needs of families raising children with disabilities? And to what extent do existing services meet those needs? To answer these questions, the M-Power project conducted two international surveys-one targeting parents of children with disabilities and another involving professionals working in early
childhood intervention and family support services.

The surveys gathered responses from 174 parents and 100 professionals across Bulgaria, Italy, the Netherlands, and Romania, with the data analysed by Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Although the surveys explored different perspectives, they reveal a common picture: while dedicated professionals and effective practices already exist, families continue to face significant systemic challenges that limit their access to timely, coordinated, and comprehensive support.

Parents highly value the expertise of professionals and recognise the positive impact that early intervention has on their children’s development. Many report that the support they receive has increased their confidence in caring for their child and has encouraged them to become more actively involved in their child’s development.

However, the survey also highlights several important gaps. Many families still lack adequate support
in areas that are essential for their overall well-being. The most frequently reported challenges
include:

• Limited access to psychological support for parents;
• Difficulties managing stress and emotional wellbeing;
• Insufficient coordination between different services and institutions;
• Lack of continuity when transitioning between services;
• Unequal access to resources and support.

These findings suggest that, although services are traditionally child-centred, they do not always address the broader needs of the family. A truly effective early intervention system should support not only the child’s development but also the resilience, wellbeing, and empowerment of the entire family.

Professionals also express strong belief in the effectiveness of family-centred practices and acknowledge the positive outcomes that quality early intervention brings to children and their families.

Thе project “Knowledge sharing partnership for empowerment of parents of children with disabilities through mutual learning” has received funding from the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme under grant agreement 2025-1-BG01-KA220-ADU 000361733. The views expressed herein reflect those of the M-Power consortium; the EU/Commission is not
responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

At the same time, they identify several persistent systemic barriers that affect the quality and accessibility of services. The most significant challenges include:

• Delays in accessing support services;
• Limited coordination between health, education, and social care systems;
• Difficulties ensuring smooth transitions between different stages of support;
• Insufficient psychological support available for parents.

According to professionals, improving outcomes for children requires more than simply expanding therapeutic services. It also requires stronger collaboration across sectors, earlier identification of children’s needs, coordinated case management, and meaningful involvement of parents as equal partners throughout the intervention process. The survey further highlights the importance of investing in the professional development of specialists-not only in clinical expertise but also in communication, counselling, and family support skills.

Although parents and professionals approach early intervention from different perspectives, the two surveys point to similar conclusions. Both groups agree that high-quality early intervention extends far beyond direct work with the child. It depends on coordinated services, effective collaboration across health, education, and social care, and meaningful partnerships that recognise parents as active participants in their child’s development. The findings highlight an important gap that extends beyond professional services. Families need greater emotional support and opportunities to connect with others who share similar experiences.

They also require practical strategies to strengthen resilience and cope with everyday challenges. These insights will inform the next phase of the M-Power project, guiding the development of resources that empower families through peer support, strengthen family resilience, and provide practical tools for stress management and emotional wellbeing. By responding to the needs identified in both surveys, the project aims to complement professional services with resources that help families feel more connected, confident, and supported throughout their journey.

✔ Children achieve better outcomes when families are recognised and supported as active partners in early intervention.
✔ Timely access to services and better coordination between institutions remain the greatest challenges.
✔ Parents need emotional and psychological support alongside professional guidance.
✔ Stronger collaboration between health, education, and social care systems is essential for improving outcomes.
✔ Investing in the continuous development of professionals strengthens the quality of family-centred services.