Public law 99–457 requires professionals providing early intervention services to expand their practice to support families caring for children with disabilities. Family-centered early intervention has created the need for physical therapists to review their roles and intervention strategies in working with children with disabilities and their families. Effective family-centered early intervention, in part, depends on the therapist's understanding of issues surrounding families caring for children with disabilities and the therapist's ability to effectively collaborate with families in developing therapy options which are meaningful to families. This article provides an overview of factors which may impact on the family's capability to meet the needs of the child with disabilities. Ways in which physical therapists can expand their roles to enhance the family's capacity to care for the child are also outlined.