special needs
plural noun
: any of various difficulties (such as a physical, emotional, behavioral, or learning disability or impairment) that causes an individual to require additional or specialized services or accommodations (such as in education or recreation)
students with special needs
special-needs
adjective
or special needs
special-needs children
a special needs teacher
Examples of special needs in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Lutzenkirchen also leans on his son’s determination to help children with special needs and to be a great friend and teammate.
—
Doug Turnbull For The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, AJC.com, 22 Feb. 2026
His company, Harkla, sells products and educational content for children with special needs.
—Angela Palermo
february 21, Idaho Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
Parents of children with special needs often shy away from high-end spaces where their kids’ behavior might be on full display—but in my experience, the more luxurious the environment, the more patient, accommodating, and unflappable the staff tends to be.
—Melissa Petro, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026
Students with special needs are eligible for a voucher up to $30,000.
—Lacey Beasley, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for special needs
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Doug Turnbull For The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, AJC.com, 22 Feb. 2026
His company, Harkla, sells products and educational content for children with special needs.
—Angela Palermo
february 21, Idaho Statesman, 21 Feb. 2026
Parents of children with special needs often shy away from high-end spaces where their kids’ behavior might be on full display—but in my experience, the more luxurious the environment, the more patient, accommodating, and unflappable the staff tends to be.
—Melissa Petro, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2026
Students with special needs are eligible for a voucher up to $30,000.
—Lacey Beasley, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for special needs
Cite this Entry
“Special needs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/special%20needs. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
special needs
noun plural
: the individual requirements (as for education) of a person with a disadvantaged background or a mental, emotional, or physical disability or a high risk of developing one
Some urban homeschooled kids, particularly those with special needs, were previously enrolled in school but not served well there.—Linda Perlstein, Newsweek
Linda Perlstein, Newsweek
special-needs
adjective
special-needs students
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