19/10/2021
✨504 vs. IEP 🤔✨
Many kids need extra support at school to access their appropriate education. IEPs and 504 plans are designed to do just that (in the public schools) and are available as early as 3 years+ through age 21.
Deciding which plan to pursue can be a tricky question for some families. This is especially true for kids with ADHD who often have co-occurring challenges such as learning disabilities or anxiety.
I’ve teamed up with THE CHILDHOOD COLLECTIVE today to walk you through some of the similarities and differences between the two.
Big (simplified) picture:
🔘Think of 504s as broader accommodations to access the regular curriculum (eg., extended time, preferential seating, use of a scribe) due to (mainly) medical condition(s) that impact learning. You generally need a diagnosis from a doctor to access a 504 plan. Usually, 504 services only apply during the regular school year.
🔘Think of IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) as just that - an individualized way of modifying access to and what the curriculum looks like. It has individualized goals & objectives that require monitoring throughout the school year (and beyond for some). A diagnosis isn’t always necessary for an IEP, as the school categorizes students based upon their own disability categories. IEPs tend to offer more legal protections, accountability, and parent involvement, as well as being more individually tailored for the student. While most IEPs start in Kindergarten, some kids will qualify as early as age 3!
Of course, there’s more that goes into the 504 vs IEP decision than can fit in these little circles - it depends on what the student’s needs are and how to best meet those needs.
#504
✨504 vs. IEP 🤔✨
Many kids need extra support at school to access their appropriate education. IEPs and 504 plans are designed to do just that (in the public school) and are available as early as 3 years+ through age 21.
Deciding which plan to pursue can be a tricky question for some families. This is especially true for kids with ADHD who often have co-occurring challenges such as learning disabilities or anxiety.
I’ve teamed up with today to walk you through some of the similarities and differences between the two.
Big (simplified) picture:
🔘Think of 504s as broader accommodations to access the regular curriculum (eg., extended time, preferential seating, use of a scribe) due to (mainly) medical condition(s) that impact learning. You generally need a diagnosis from a doctor to access a 504 plan. Usually, 504 services only apply during the regular school year.
🔘Think of IEPs (Individualized Education Program) as just that - an individualized way of modifying access to and what the curriculum looks like. It has individualized goals & objectives that require monitoring throughout the school year (and beyond for some). A diagnosis isn’t always necessary for an IEP, as the school categorizes students based upon their own disability categories. IEPs tend to offer more legal protections, accountability, and more parent involvement, as well as being more individually tailored for the student.
Of course, there’s more that goes into the 504 vs IEP decision than can fit in these little circles - it depends on what the student’s needs are and how to best meet those needs.
Work closely with your child’s teacher, school psychologist, and other school professionals to find the best plan for your child.
Drop us a quick DM for a link to our blog post with more details! 💌
