[Children with special needs: counterpoints between law and reality].

This study is as theoretical and philosophical reflection and it aims to confront the Brazilian legislation (which is about children who have special needs) with the daily practice Although children's rights have been legalized in 1990 by Statute for Children and Teenagers, we can daily see that there is a gap between what the law guarantees and what is performed in practice. It is necessary to put this legislation into practice so that it is possible to break off with a historical trajectory of prejudice which is imposed against these children. However in order to reach such practicality it is essential that families of children with special needs know their rights in order to exercise their citizenship and enjoy a better quality of life According to the available literature, reality can be changed through the exercise of children and family citizenship and this fact makes them aware of their rights.