Today, early intervention programmes must be considered in the context of major political, social and economic transitions. This conference is designed to address these complexities from a variety of multidisciplinary perspectives. I owe a special debt of gratitude to the co-chairs of the congress, Dr. David Sánchez Teruel of the University of Córdoba and Dr. José Antonio Muela Martínez of the University of Jaén, for taking on important responsibilities in the organization of this congress. It is thanks to their efforts that this congress will transform the lives of the participating professionals, and indirectly improve the lives of children with disabilities and all those parents who care for them