special needs, n. and a.
Brit. /ˌspɛʃl ˈniːdz/, U.S. /ˈˌspɛʃ(ə)l ˈnidz/
[‹ special adj. + the plural of need n.1]
A. n. Particular requirements resulting from physical disability, learning or behavioural difficulties, etc. (esp. in educational contexts). Hence in extended use: the condition occasioning such needs (rarely in sing.).
Also applied occasionally to the requirements of particularly gifted people.
| [1893W. T. Porter in Publ. Amer. Statist. Soc. 3 579 Were this application possible, the deviations of children from the laws of normal growth could be quickly recognized,..and systems of education..could be rationally adapted to the special needs of the exceptionally weak and the exceptionally strong.] 1915 Jrnl. Polit. Econ. 23 408 She found that though many of the [disabled] children are unable..to study for long periods, the utmost care is taken to provide them with educational advantages adapted to their special needs. 1953 N. M. Clancy Surv. Children Spec. Needs (typescript) (title) A survey of children with special needs in the elementary schools of Santa Barbara County with implications for their schooling. 1986 Teacher 26 May 8/3 Members..are opposing the absorption of children with special needs into mainstream schools in the borough. 1995 Freedom Spring–Summer 4/1 Although children at these camps must list a physical disability as their primary special need, approximately half the campers have developmental challenges as well. |
B. adj. (attrib.). Having special needs; of or provided for those with special needs.
| 1974 S. J. Urban (title) The special needs student in vocational education. 1983 Times Educ. Suppl. 1 Apr. 17/3 Government-funded projects will look at the wider special needs group as well as the ‘statemented’ minority. 1992 Newsweek (Canad. ed.) 6 Jan. 7/1 The social activism of special-needs parents in the 1960s and 1970s. 2000 Economist (Electronic ed.) 8 Jan. The budget for special-needs education is {pstlg}2.5 billion a year. |