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
Commenters who identified themselves as the parent of a child with special needs weighed in in the comments.
—
Rachel Flynn, People.com, 25 May 2025
For those who work with people with special needs, the job is partly a calling.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2025
More recently, states have created education savings account programs that put state funding into flexible use spending accounts that families can use on educational expenses like private school tuition, tutoring, therapies for students with special needs, and more.
—Michael McShane, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Club for adults with special needs The S.A.I.D. Club (Socialization for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities) will meet from 10:30 a.m. to noon May 23 at the Fruitland Park Library, 604 W. Berckman St.
Participants can play games, make crafts and socialize with friends.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for special needs
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Rachel Flynn, People.com, 25 May 2025
For those who work with people with special needs, the job is partly a calling.
—Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2025
More recently, states have created education savings account programs that put state funding into flexible use spending accounts that families can use on educational expenses like private school tuition, tutoring, therapies for students with special needs, and more.
—Michael McShane, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
Club for adults with special needs The S.A.I.D. Club (Socialization for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities) will meet from 10:30 a.m. to noon May 23 at the Fruitland Park Library, 604 W. Berckman St.
Participants can play games, make crafts and socialize with friends.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 May 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 6 Jun. 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
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