[Excerpt: conclusion]
"Parents need to be empowered to be active members in the early intervention process as parental participation benefits the child and is related to increased child achievement. Satisfaction is achieved when parents are active and are equal members of the early intervention team. Professionals play an important role in helping parents have a positive early intervention experience.
Preparation prior to the early intervention team meeting increases a parent’s confidence in being a strong advocate for their child. Parents are experts on their child and should be treated as such. Structuring the meeting to include a comfortable environment, facilitating equal participation, and following an agenda can ensure that child-focused objectives are met. Parents may personalize the meetings by using photographs, scrapbooks, portfolios, brochures, or electronic presentations. Increasing parent involvement in the early intervention process is key to successful outcomes for each child with disabilities." (p.56)