Family support networks: help for families of children with special needs.

Families of children with special needs offer special challenges for the primary care physician. The variety of developmental disabilities and chronic illnesses, the rapid pace of research, and the array of stresses on these families may make care time consuming and frustrating. Well-developed family support networks complement the care offered by physicians. These networks offer coping support for families, education and service availability information, advocacy training, and support for siblings of children with special needs.