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
But the competitors, all boys and girls with intellectual disabilities, helped usher in a new and more inclusive era in sports, at a time when children with special needs were often locked away at home or shipped off to institutions.
—
Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 23 May 2026
The special needs of the patriarch, Ernesto, reveal twisted rituals that trigger a terrifying confrontation involving the intervention of highly skilled supernatural agents.
—Roberto Prieto, Variety, 13 May 2026
Angela Ezell teaches special needs students in ACTIVE Academies Campus' transitional program.
—Leondra Head, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Federal funding cuts have affected the county office’s ability to serve students in other programs, such as migrant education and students with special needs.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for special needs
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Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 23 May 2026
The special needs of the patriarch, Ernesto, reveal twisted rituals that trigger a terrifying confrontation involving the intervention of highly skilled supernatural agents.
—Roberto Prieto, Variety, 13 May 2026
Angela Ezell teaches special needs students in ACTIVE Academies Campus' transitional program.
—Leondra Head, CBS News, 8 May 2026
Federal funding cuts have affected the county office’s ability to serve students in other programs, such as migrant education and students with special needs.
—Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
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 28 May. 2026.
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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