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

These Arizona groups help special needs families during Eid al-Fitr. —USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024

The organization has been ensuring Arizona mosques are inclusive and accessible to those with special needs. —Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024

McCoy noted that while every situation and police interaction may be different, there are often far too many situations when Black teens, including those who have mental health needs or special needs, have tragically ended up dead. —Pamela Appea, Parents, 7 Apr. 2024

Some parents like Allan Turner, who has children with special needs, questioned why the district isn’t waiting until after November to call the bond election, and why the bond doesn’t provide funds for teacher pay increases. —Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2024

The festival’s programming will highlight cultural diasporas, women in film, stories surrounding members of the LGBTQ+ community and people with special needs. —Cata Balzano, Variety, 5 Apr. 2024

Working Wonders focus on work, health and art for people with special needs. —Judith Prieve, The Mercury News, 2 Apr. 2024

There will be separate fields for children ages 6 and older; ages 5 and younger; and young children or kids with special needs. —The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2024

Already frazzled from being parents of 3-year-old twins, one with special needs, Meg and Rooster are dazzled, intimidated and distressed by their impossibly cultured, attractive and accomplished hosts. —Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

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