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 owner's compassion and the internet's overwhelming support highlight the beauty of adopting special needs pets and the incredible bond that can form between them and their human companions. —Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025

Jefferson County is property-rich, but the district's student population is considered high needs (with high rates of poverty, homelessness, non-English-speaking learners and special needs). —Krista Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Sep. 2025

The purest of pure pups, one with a little bit of a wild, hilarious streak, is in need of a home in Ohio that will be able to care for his special needs. —Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 17 Sep. 2025

That December, Cilivea Thyrion, 20, choked to death on an adult diaper while housed in a special needs pod. —Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 16 Sep. 2025

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