special needs

American  

[spesh-uhl needz] / ˈspɛʃ əl ˈnidz /

plural noun

Sometimes Offensive.

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

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special needs British  

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

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Sensitive Note

See special.

Other Word Forms

• special-needs adjective

Etymology

Origin of special needs

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

The brothers both have special needs and live in supported accommodation.

From BBC

The charity's Strategic Lead for Climate Action, Scott Howes, developed the course and adapted it for a special needs pilot.

From BBC

Before the war, the 35-year-old taught children with special needs and autism in Kungur, in the Ural Mountains.

From BBC

The couple has three adult children, one of whom has special needs.

From MarketWatch

Cindy Castillo, a social studies and ethnic studies teacher at Mission High School, told the crowd at a Monday rally there that stability, to her, meant fully accommodating students with special needs and retaining students and educators of color, and fully staffing security teams on campuses to prevent violence.

From Los Angeles Times