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
With 23 years in education and special needs, Laura Gowers charges $635 per day for dyslexia assessments and neurodiversity consulting.
—
Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
There will be ongoing egg hunts from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with groups of 20 to 30 kids scrambling for eggs, with separate fields for children ages 6 and older; ages 5 and younger; and young children or kids with special needs.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
Trump told reporters on Friday that the student loans portfolio would be handled by the Small Business Administration, while special needs and nutrition programs would be administered by the Department of Health and Human Services.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
While Cabarrus schools are required to meet the needs outlined in students’ Individualized Education Plans (IEP), some parents worry the lack of funding could force the district to deprioritize special needs services.
—Nora O’Neill, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for special needs
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
There will be ongoing egg hunts from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with groups of 20 to 30 kids scrambling for eggs, with separate fields for children ages 6 and older; ages 5 and younger; and young children or kids with special needs.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
Trump told reporters on Friday that the student loans portfolio would be handled by the Small Business Administration, while special needs and nutrition programs would be administered by the Department of Health and Human Services.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
While Cabarrus schools are required to meet the needs outlined in students’ Individualized Education Plans (IEP), some parents worry the lack of funding could force the district to deprioritize special needs services.
—Nora O’Neill, Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 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 4 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share