This study investigated the support and benefits of early intervention (EI) in families with children with special needs. Data were gathered through a written questionnaire, ‘Family Benefits Inventory’, completed by 126 families with children with special needs supported by EI teams, with ages from six months to six years in Portugal. The global results obtained in this study allowed us to conclude that families considered that they obtained benefit from EI and received support most of the time in the different dimensions of the questionnaire. Furthermore, support given by an EI professional had a positive influence on families' perceptions regarding the benefits of EI.

Several studies have stressed the outcomes for families who are supported by Early Intervention in the following dimensions: knowledge/information; development of competencies; well-being; and quality of life. As a result, this study assessed 999 families to examine the outcomes of Early Intervention in Portugal. Our results show that families supported by Early Intervention benefit in dimensions related to the development of competencies in the child and the family, and to the gain of information and knowledge about support and community resources, which results in perceived control and co-responsibility. The analysis of the outcomes of Early Intervention also shows that parents' education and occupation levels are determining variables for a family to benefit from the positive impact of Early Intervention. In light of such results, we present recommendations for practices in the area of Early Intervention with the aim of adapting the practices of professionals to the concerns and priorities of Portuguese families.