This research provides a longitudinal examination of parental expectations for children and young people with disabilities relative to those without a disability. We adopt a broad approach to the understanding of disability, including specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia, as well as general learning/intellectual, emotional or behavioural and physical disability. Using data on 9- and 13-year-old children from the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) study – the National Longitudinal Study of Children in Ireland (Williams et al., 2009) – this study assesses parental expectations.