Category: Parents

Parenting for Special Needs child can be challenging, you have to learn new rules, new laws, and a set of new language. Are you ready for IEP, ISP, ADP, SLS….?

Parents, Sharing By

Beyond Picky Eaters: A Parent’s Experience with Special Needs Nutrition

Food and Nutrition Series #2

Friends and family told Stephanie Tom, “Kids will get hungry and then they’ll eat what you give them.” However, that was never the case with her son. “He could go a day without eating. Once he was diagnosed with autism, it made a whole lot of sense,” Tom said. Tom, mother to a teenage autistic son, provides insight on special needs nutrition for other parents of special needs children as well as the general public. Continue reading Beyond Picky Eaters: A Parent’s Experience with Special Needs Nutrition

fcsnvoicesNovember 13, 2022April 13, 2025Leave a comment

Parents, Sharing By

Wait! There’s Got to Be Something We Can Do

Sufen Wu, FCSN Parent, describes the value of perseverance, dedication, and creativity in overcoming challenges in Chiling’s music journey. Chiling Wu is a dedicated special needs musician who plays a wide variety of instruments. Continue reading Wait! There’s Got to Be Something We Can Do

fcsnvoicesAugust 16, 2022April 13, 2025Leave a comment

Parents, Sharing By

A Rewarding Experience in Boy Scouts

This is the inspirational story of Lydia who garnered the courage and strength to let her son Alex join their local Boy Scout troop. It was not easy for Lydia, and Alex also faced many challenges, but through meaningful participation over the years, and the support of troop members and other parents, Lydia saw Alex achieve goals that were beyond her expectation. Continue reading A Rewarding Experience in Boy Scouts

fcsnvoicesMay 11, 2022April 13, 2025Leave a comment

Parents, Sharing By

Sufen’s 2000+ Handmade Masks

Many parents of special needs individuals not only volunteer in causes related to their children, they also find ways give back to the community at large. One can easily see the thoughtfulness and care going into each of Sufen’s homemade masks, which she insists on giving away for free. Continue reading Sufen’s 2000+ Handmade Masks

fcsnvoicesFebruary 25, 2022April 13, 2025Leave a comment

Clients, Parents, Sharing By, Work & Job Training

Employment Success Stories Series: Lawrence Wang

FCSN client Lawrence has worked at a State Farm Insurance company branch for 12 years, an office as a paper filer for 8 years, and at a TJ Maxx outlet as a retail and inventory worker for 8 years. In this interview, his mother Anna opens up about the process of finding Lawrence three engaging, steady jobs. Continue reading Employment Success Stories Series: Lawrence Wang

fcsnvoicesFebruary 15, 2022April 13, 2025Leave a comment

Parents, Sharing By

The Eagerness to Return to FCSN Day Program

As the saying goes, “You don’t know what you’ve got until you lose it.” Choy’s parents had always known that he loves attending FCSN’s Adult Day Program, but going through 16 months of shelter-in-place made them realize just how important it was for him. Continue reading The Eagerness to Return to FCSN Day Program

fcsnvoicesFebruary 12, 2022April 13, 2025Leave a comment

News/Events, Parents, Sharing By, Volunteers

Remembering Johnna Laird

When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. Johnna Laird was truly a treasure within our FCSN community and our time with her was too short. Please enjoy these stories from four people who knew and worked with Johnna in various capacities at FCSN. Continue reading Remembering Johnna Laird

fcsnvoicesJanuary 28, 2022April 13, 20251 Comment

News/Events, Parents, Sharing By

What To Do With Extra Coins?

FCSN parent Jim Chiao had too many spare coins on his hands, yet sorting them himself was too time consuming and taking them to places where coins would be sorted for a fee was too troublesome. He came up with the solution to donate his coins to FCSN, which could also create some work opportunities for FCSN day program clients. Continue reading What To Do With Extra Coins?

fcsnvoicesJanuary 22, 2022April 13, 20251 Comment

Announcements, News, News/Events, Parents, Sharing By

A Foreword to FCSN’s New Book

FCSN recently published a compilation of stories in their new book, “Friends of Children with Special Needs – Building a Dream Community.” Written by FCSN staff, parents, clients, and volunteers, the book chronicles the history of FCSN in the past 25 years. This is the foreword to the book, written by FCSN parent, Board Member, and Chair, Chenming Hu.
Continue reading A Foreword to FCSN’s New Book

fcsnvoicesJanuary 11, 2022April 13, 20251 Comment

Clients, Parents, Sharing By

The Gao Family’s Journey to FCSN

Lucy and Hua Gao, parents to Bob, share their how it is like to raise a child with special needs while building their professional careers. After learning about FCSN, the family decided to retire and move to the Bay Area in order to provide Bob with the supportive environment that allows him to flourish. Continue reading The Gao Family’s Journey to FCSN

fcsnvoicesDecember 25, 2021April 13, 2025Leave a comment