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

Kids with special needs benefit from using items to develop and master these skills, such as jigsaw puzzles, art sets, or modeling dough. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

Many of the children have special needs, including autism and other disabilities. — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026

Nannies who speak three languages and have experience caring for children with special needs are also in especially high demand. — Robert Frank, CNBC, 10 July 2026

Get four or five families together and hire a creative, energetic person who is familiar with special needs as well as early childhood development. — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 8 July 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