Chapter 7: Special Education of Students With Extensive Support Needs: Involving Families

In this chapter, the authors consider the need to involve families of students with extensive support needs in special education supports and services. The authors begin with a historical overview of the accomplishments of families of children with extensive support needs, followed by a discussion of the current state of family involvement in special education and the ongoing challenges families face. The authors then discuss how the self-advocacy movement interfaces with family involvement, including how families can support self-advocacy while remaining integrally involved in special education.