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

Also, concerns of declining mental health of children are real, and challenges of supporting children with special needs are being amplified with removal of social safety net supports. —Nina Bandelj, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026

This week, the Gaudreau family helped dedicate a new adaptive playground for children with special needs at Archbishop Damiano School in Westville, New Jersey. —Matt Reigle, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026

During his tenure on the state’s highest court, Lewis saw it as his duty to reform legal practices and barriers that prevented people with special needs from accessing services and protections that other Floridians took for granted. —Miami Herald, 31 May 2026

According to the lawsuit, the special needs student, who attended Maidens Choice School in Catonsville, was given melatonin each morning for about two months by his teacher and her aides. —Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 27 May 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