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

Medicaid subsidizes most of the medical care for children with severe special needs. —Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026

The support includes tutoring and other special needs academic support services. —Megan De Mar, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026

There will be an activity station, crafts, games, giveaways, a Spotlight on Reading station, as well as story time and a free book for each child and resources for the special needs community. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2026

At the front gate, Lorena Valencia said cuts to the school have been noticeable, with fewer teachers and assistants for kids with special needs. —Nicole MacIas Garibay, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 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