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

But Beechwood has found a new kind of joy in offering special needs actors an opportunity to participate in classes and perform in shows on the venue’s wheelchair-accessible stage. —Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 18 Apr. 2025

Education Trump says Education Department will no longer oversee student loans, 'special needs' Over 100,000 U.S. public school students were secluded or restrained during the 2017-2018 school year, according to federal data. —Dylan Peers McCoy, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025

Groups will be set up by age, and there will be a separate hunt for children with special needs, according to the village of Sleepy Hollow’s website. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025

Many school districts, including CMS, get reimbursed by Medicaid for services such as speech, occupational and physical therapy as well as nursing and behavioral health for students with special needs. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2025

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