Ruiz recommends parents caring for children with special needs look for positive things to focus on, such as small improvements in their child or accomplishments. Parent support groups remain a flagship program, said Wang, who is now vice president of the nonprofit. “We wanted to bring happiness to individuals with special needs and peace of mind to the families,” Wang said. Some keep their child with special needs at home, not even disclosing the disability to their closest family members and friends. Some, including Friends of Children with Special Needs, offer one-on-one guidance, often from parents who have raised a child with disabilities themselves.