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
Some schools offer early childhood education, pre-K and special programs for students with special needs.
—
Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
Timely treatment of acute illnesses and consistent management of chronic conditions or special needs are also vital to prevent deterioration and long-term consequences into adulthood.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
For those who need coverage for their entire lives, perhaps for estate planning purposes, to fund a special needs trust, or to facilitate small business buy-sell agreements, term is not going to cut it.
—Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 30 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
See All Example Sentences for special needs
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Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025
Timely treatment of acute illnesses and consistent management of chronic conditions or special needs are also vital to prevent deterioration and long-term consequences into adulthood.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
For those who need coverage for their entire lives, perhaps for estate planning purposes, to fund a special needs trust, or to facilitate small business buy-sell agreements, term is not going to cut it.
—Jill Schlesinger, Mercury News, 30 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
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 6 Oct. 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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