Written for Canadian parents of young children with special needs, this handbook provides information on ways in which parents can work with professionals (physicians, teachers, other school staff, social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists) in selecting and monitoring services for their special needs child. The first section considers the foundations of parent-professional relationships, and presents an historical overview of such relationships. Information is presented on parents' and professionals' attitudes and needs, and on obstacles, solutions, and myths and realities regarding an effective parent-professional relationship. The second section lists the following checklists of good practice: (1) features that contribute to positive parent-professional interaction in a birth hospital; (2) options for parent involvement in early childhood services; (3) professional attitudes and practices that encourage confidence in the parenting role; (4) parent questionnaire for monitoring home-based programs; (5) features that encourage partnership in transition from one program to another; (6) preparing for a conference; (7) what to look for when choosing a group setting for your child; and (8) areas of particular importance for special needs children. Resources (mostly books, manuals, and journal articles) listed in the final section deal with the historical perspective, general parenting and child development, parent development, parents' stories, first person accounts, a family perspective, professional development, rationale for parent-professional partnerships, program models for partnerships, and bibliographies. A form for making a resource recommendation is also provided. (CB)