special needs

[spesh-uhl needz]

plural noun

Sometimes Offensive.

1. the special educational requirements of those with learning difficulties, emotional or behavioral problems, or physical disabilities.

special needs

plural noun

1. 1. the educational requirements of pupils or students suffering from any of a wide range of physical disabilities, medical conditions, intellectual difficulties, or emotional problems, including deafness, blindness, dyslexia, learning difficulties, and behavioural problems

   2. ( as modifier )

      special-needs teachers

Sensitive Note

See special.

Other Word Forms

• special-needs adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of special needs¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Local authorities currently receive a ring-fenced grant from the DfE to pay for special needs support, known as the dedicated schools grant.

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Oxfordshire County Council will expand its enhanced pathways provision into 40 state schools, providing a dedicate space and additional resource to support more young people with special needs, including non verbal children, in a mainstream setting.

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Alaa Abdel Fattah's 13-year-old son, Khaled, lives with his mother in Brighton, where he attends a special needs school because he is on the autism spectrum.

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She said the charity also dealt with a significant number of families who had children with special needs, which limited their capacity to work.

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"He didn't ask to be born with special needs," she added.

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