What role do professionals play in the journey of helping children with developmental disabilities thrive – while also supporting their families? For both children (through middle school age) and families, the issue of perspective often means the difference between developing resilience and optimism or surrendering to fear and hopelessness. This program will examine the nature of stresses on families of children with developmental disabilities and assess needs using a strengths-based approach versus a deficit model.  Such an approach, within an ecological framework, will offer insights to professionals as they seek to create dynamic partnerships with individual families and help them build and maintain supports. The program will identify effective communication strategies and valuable resources for both professionals and families.