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
Amtrak's response plan, should a train lose power or air conditioning, includes identifying passengers with special needs and ensuring access to water.
—
Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
Finding empathy, making friends Each of the 16 students with special needs is paired as closely in age as possible with a peer mentor, who stays with them on stage throughout the show.
—Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2025
But progressives note those marks don’t consider how the state treats nursing home residents, students with special needs or families struggling to afford child care.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025
Inspired by the benefits of technology to his students with special needs, James went on to earn a master’s degree in learning theory and educational technology and continues to strengthen his expertise in the area.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for special needs
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Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
Finding empathy, making friends Each of the 16 students with special needs is paired as closely in age as possible with a peer mentor, who stays with them on stage throughout the show.
—Virginia Brown, Charlotte Observer, 18 June 2025
But progressives note those marks don’t consider how the state treats nursing home residents, students with special needs or families struggling to afford child care.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 17 June 2025
Inspired by the benefits of technology to his students with special needs, James went on to earn a master’s degree in learning theory and educational technology and continues to strengthen his expertise in the area.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 17 June 2025
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 2 Jul. 2025.
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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