New directions in early intervention: P.L. 99-457.

In conclusion, P.L. 99-457 has important implications for professionals who serve hearing-impaired infants and toddlers. The law challenges traditional, child-focused intervention models, and requires professionals to develop programs that are responsive to families' needs. Professionals will need to become familiar with family systems theories, useful family assessment tools, and strategies for collaborative service delivery. Professionals are challenged to determine how enabling relationships can be built with family members. Empowerment of the family system could have far-reaching, positive consequences for the hearing-impaired child.