IEP vs 504

Here at Play Attention, we are often contacted by parents concerned with trying to facilitate the best learning environment for their children at school.  Two of the most common assistive measures a school can take to help a student with ADD are an Individualized Education Plan, or IEP, and a 504 plan.  But often these two programs are referred to interchangeably, when in reality, they are different.  As such, we'd like to provide an overview of the differences between the two.

First, let's talk about the main characteristics of an IEP.  With an IEP, a student has to qualify for special education services through standardized testing.  It is therefore sometimes difficult for children with attention challenges to qualify since often they have fairly decent grades.  But if an IEP is attainable, it is usually a better option than a 504 plan since a good IEP is very structured, very precise, and requires less parent follow up.  It should delineate very specific goals and benchmarks the school is expected to help the child meet within specific time periods.  As such, parental involvement is less necessary, since overseeing this process is a matter of state or federal law.

A 504 plan is far less precise and structured, but much easier to get.  It consists of general accommodations such as an extra set of books to keep at home, or preferential seating in the classroom.  The justification for a 504 plan is a child who is considered "health impaired", a category under which attention challenges fall.  

Again, 504 plans are easier to get, but require more supervision from the parent or parents.  Sometimes if a parent doesn't follow up, the accommodations aren't put into place or maintained long-term because there is not as much of an outside mandate to carry them out.  As such, it's important to become your child's greatest advocate.  Constantly contact teachers and other school board staff to make sure any agreed upon accommodations are being implemented.  Document everything. Also, it's always good to take someone with you when you go to a meeting to discuss the implementation or continuation of a 504 plan.  There is strength in numbers, and sometimes a lone parent might be bullied into letting things go if they are by themselves.  Again, be an advocate for your child!  Such an attitude makes it far more likely others will as well.

The website understood.org posted a handy comparison chart going into the differences in much more detail.  Click here to check it out:

https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/504-plan/the-difference-between-ieps-and-504-plans