special needs

plural noun

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of special needs

: 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

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special-needs

or special needs adjective

- special-needs children
- a special needs teacher

Recent Examples of special needs from the Web

Anyone planning to bring a child with special needs must contact Myers as soon as possible.

— jacob mcadams, Houston Chronicle, "Impact Center readies for Hug-a-Tree/Kiss-a-Fish event," 17 Apr. 2018
The office provided a manual that details the protocol immigration detention facilities must follow when dealing with people with disabilities or special needs.

— brenda medina, miamiherald, "Immigrant with Down syndrome remains in detention following arrest during recent raid," 17 Apr. 2018
Certainly, taking care of his special needs has brought difficulties.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "The 2018 YWCA Career Women of Achievement talk about perseverance, offer advice," 16 Apr. 2018
Supporters said these tax credits would help children from low-income households or foster care and kids with special needs make it to the front of the line for scholarship aid.

— morgan watkins, The Courier-Journal, "Here's what Kentucky lawmakers did - and didn't - get done this session," 16 Apr. 2018
The event, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Bonita Creek Park at 3010 La Vida in Newport Beach, will give caregivers a chance to find out about the free year-round recreation programs that Friendship Circle offers to children with special needs.

— daily pilot staff, latimes.com, "Around Town: Moto-Surf event features personal watercraft racing in Huntington Beach," 13 Apr. 2018
Koenen said the email did reference that the group is planning to host a Family Day for special needs children, a feature that was part of the overall festival in the past two years.

— linda girardi, Aurora Beacon-News, "No Festival of the Fox this summer in St. Charles," 12 Apr. 2018
Especially with sick kids and kids with special needs.

— kevin cullen, BostonGlobe.com, "Charlie Austin was the nicest guy in a competitive business," 11 Apr. 2018
School disagreement: Noblesville mom says Hamilton Southeastern exploited her son with special needsThe suit was brought by Chester and Kathryn Pierce, of Elkhart County, and Indianapolis residents Michael Beck and Joanne Kehoe.

— marisa kwiatkowski, Indianapolis Star, "Anthem settles lawsuit over denial of coverage for autism therapy," 10 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'special needs.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of special needs

1899

SPECIAL NEEDS Defined for English Language Learners

special needs

noun

Definition of special needs for English Language Learners

: mental, emotional, or physical problems in a child that require a special setting for education

Medical Dictionary

special needs

noun plural

medical Definition of special needs

: 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, 6 Feb. 2012

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