When Special Care Is Needed: The Special Needs Trust A special needs trust helps care for a special needs child when you’re gone. Related Content You Would Rather Be... Are you a thrill seeker, or content to relax in the backyard? Use this flowchart to find out more about your risk tolerance. 4 Steps to Protecting a Child with Disabilities Planning for a child with special needs can be complicated, confusing, and even overwhelming. Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions Information vs. instinct. Are your choices based on evidence of emotion?