In case you were wondering, the term "Special Needs" in the context of adopting children from foster care refers to:

• children over the age of 5 years
  
• children with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities
  
• minority children
  
• children who are siblings

Children needing adoptive homes look like other children and come in all shapes and sizes. They have a wide range of abilities and personalities. Most, however, have been hurt in ways one cannot see. They have lost their parents after serious abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Sometimes the birthparents decided they could not take care of their children.

Most of the children have been in foster homes. Some have moved from home to home. Social workers and loving foster parents have helped them through their hard times, but foster care is temporary.

The courts have determined that these children cannot return to their birth families or, in some cases, the parents have decided to place them for adoption.

(Exerpts from Oregon.gov's FAQ for Adoption Services.)

State child welfare agencies are responsible for finding these children safe, nurturing adoptive homes.