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The systemic, ecological, family-centered approach (FCA) has been shown to be the most effective approach to follow worldwide. In Spain, however, the expert-centered approach remains in force and determines the actions of professionals. The objective of this study is to present the training needs perceived by professionals in six early intervention (EI) centers in Spain in which a research process was introduced, namely, the FCA. Two focus groups were held. The needs stated by professionals were for more knowledge about the philosophy of the approach: supervision, learning in reference centers, and exchange sessions with families as the most appropriate training methods; the observation of role models; collaboration between professionals and the trainer as effective instructional designs; and organizational aspects such as training within the work day. A discussion of the results is carried out in the context of current literature and the practical implications are explored.

Background: The study assesses the support needs of individuals with intellectual disability and their families in Catalonia. The present authors examine family quality of life (FQoL), identify the individual services required and assess families' perceptions of the extent to which their family member with intellectual disability and they themselves receive the services they need. Materials and Methods: The N&S questionnaire ("Needs and Supports for people with intellectual disability and their families") was administered to 2160 families with a family member with intellectual disability aged under 70 in Catalonia (Spain). Results: Overall mean FQoL was quite high. FQoL was associated with family income, education, employment and percentage level of disability. Neither people with intellectual disability nor their families receive the specific support they need. Conclusions: Besides providing specific support for individuals with intellectual disability, local policymakers and practitioners should apply a family-centred approach to the provision of support for families in order to improve FQoL.

Early intervention (EI) has been shown to be an essential resource for meeting the needs and priorities of children with intellectual and developmental disability and their families. The objective of this study was to examine (a) the perceived quality of life of families attending EI centers in Spain and (b) its relationship with characteristics of the children and their families. The Family Quality of Life Scale was administered to a sample of 281 families with children aged 0 to 6 years attending an EI center. To determine the relationship between family quality of life (FQoL) and the family and children's characteristics, Student's t test and one-way ANOVA were performed. Likewise, effect size was measured in those groups. The results show that the emotional well-being of families was high, although they were concerned about health and financial well-being. The perceived FQoL varies depending on income, family type, and severity of the child's disability. Implications for professional practice in EI centers are presented.

Background: Researchers, professionals, and families have shown increasing concern with the family quality of life (FQoL) of people with intellectual disability (ID) and their families. The goals of this research were (a) to explore how Spanish families understand FQoL by developing 2 different measurement tools for families with a member with ID under and over 18 years old, and (b) to provide 2 diagnostic instruments that will be useful for designing action plans. Method: The study comprised 4 stages: (a) focus groups, (b) expert assessment, (c) pilot study, and (d) normalisation and standardisation. The data were collected in 5 regions in Spain, and 1,205 families with a member with ID took part in the normalisation and standardisation of the scales. Results: Both FQoL scales were consistent and have valid psychometric characteristics. Conclusions: The scales have a diagnostic purpose for use in designing action plans aimed at producing significant changes in families' lives.

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