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

Children playing side by side Dearmore added that neurotypical children often play alongside special needs youngsters on the playground. —Rick Mauch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2025

Club members have also made Valentine’s Day cards for residents in a retirement community and gotten special needs students in their school involved in that endeavor as a way to spread goodwill. —Janice Neumann, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025

Residents served by the agency include low-income families, seniors and those with special needs. —Gabrielle Chenault, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Sep. 2025

Zen Donkey’s for-profit side of the business (the juices, smoothies and more) fuel her non-profit donkey rescue, Zen Donkey Experience which also provides a therapeutic experience for people in need of mental health services, including kids with special needs. —Kansas City Star, 3 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