This paper, by a parent of a child with severe mental and physical disabilities, discusses why parent/professional teaming is important to maximize benefits for children and youth with severe disabilities. It recounts the family's experience with the impact of disability. Strategies for effective parent/professional teaming are outlined, stressing the importance of professionals understanding parents as individuals, and the value of empathy, respect, and efforts toward true collaboration. Specific suggestions cover inclusion of parents in team meetings, joint development of Individualized Education Programs, personal communication with parents, avoidance of jargon, use of round (rather than rectangular) tables in meetings, careful planning for meetings, inclusion of the student (and sometimes siblings) in meetings, encouraging parents to bring a relative or friend, use of a comfortable communication style, follow up of meetings with a thank you note, and involvement of parents at all levels of the education system. (Contains 17 references or additional resources.) (DB)