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

ˈspe-shəl-ˈnēdz 

adjective

or special needs

special-needs children

a special needs teacher

Examples of special needs in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The fathers raised funds for a satellite lab in a school for kids with special needs, and Chau agreed to staff it. —Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

Working with special needs students has become the heart of Spitnale’s work. —Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026

Frye said she was allegedly assured that her son Lamond, who is among less than a dozen children in a special needs class, had not been given hot sauce. —Janelle Griffith, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026

Funds can be used for private school tuition, tutoring, books, supplies, special needs services, transportation, uniforms, and certain technology expenses. —Cbs News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for special needs

• centipedes
• intercedes
• millipedes
• supersedes
• accedes
• concedes
• exceeds
• impedes
• misdeeds
• misleads
• oilseeds
• precedes

Kids Definition

special needs

plural noun

: any of various difficulties (such as 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)

special–needs adjective

Medical 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

special-needs adjective

special-needs students