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IEP vs 504
  • chaosmomchaosmom
    Posts: 3,846Member
    Need some advice from my mommies that have been there, done that already. We are going to start the evaluation process because ds7 needs some help & accomodations made. I know basically nothing about IEPs or the 504 and it just seems very confusing to me. Which one do I need to push for? What do I need to do outside of what the school will be doing to ensure he gets what he needs? He would be classified as ED/BD I guess.

    Since his disorder is episodic, there will be some days that he doesn't need anything extra & then some days where he will need a LOT of support. Here's most of the things he needs if that will help:

    *extended time for tests
    *flexible timeline for school work & home work assignments
    *recording device & earbuds to help with writing assignments (he has trouble with "executive functions" & it is very difficult for him to think of a sentence & remember it while he is working on forming the letters properly. Writing anything is exhausting for him anyways.)
    *a quiet place he can go for a break if things get too stressful for him
    *eliminating repetitive assignments for concepts he has mastered (some days/weeks) or replacing with more difficult assignments (he gets bored easily & that just pisses him off severely). They won't evaluate for AG until next year.
    *being able to sit away from the rest of the students in or out of the classroom (as needed) if he is too stimulated by being around other classmates.
    *daily "cool down" at the end of the day with a teacher or counselor to ease the transition of coming home
    *later start to the day (as needed) without the school getting all pissed off
    *unlimited bathroom access without getting in trouble

    Any advice or web pages you can recommend would be very helpful!!
  • Rosie08
    Posts: 494Member
    Ok. In short, this is what a 504 plan is:

    504 is shorthand for the Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. It is a civil rights statute that protects people with disabilities from discrimination. Anyone with a "physical or mental impairment which substantially limits a major life activity," "has a record of such impairment," or is "perceived as having such impairment" can qualify as disabled under Section 504. Students who fall under 504s do not qualify for special education and do not receive special education services (such as physical or speech therapy or classes taught by a special education teacher) but can receive modifications. Students with medical conditions such as depression or cancer might receive modifications under this statute


    An IEP is an individual education plan. It would make give him special education services, and he would be protected under IDEA( The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). It's more extensive and requires the school system to do more. If he's ED, they will also have to develop a behavior intervention plan. Some states don't cover BD under special education( but they will service ED; it's different).

    Has he actually been diagnosed? Btw, I have a masters in special ed.
  • Rosie08
    Posts: 494Member
    And by what you're describing, it appears he might get better services with an IEP( that is unless he's been diagnosed with a BD, and your state only services ED). Having an IEP means the school also cannot suspend a child more than 10 days per school year if behavior is related to the disability, and expulsion is harder.
  • chaosmomchaosmom
    Posts: 3,846Member
    @rosie08, he has been diagnosed already with pediatric/early onset bipolar. We are about a month into the disability process with Social Security. Does he have to be classified as disabled through them first or is that completely separate? I think his would be more ED. He doesn't act out at school.
  • Rosie08
    Posts: 494Member
    D Yes, that's an actual emotional disability, not a behavior disorder( those are things like oppositional defiance disorder- kids who are just like "eff you" because they can, or because of environment). No, social security doesn't have anything to do with it, but it helps- it's whether a doctor diagnosed him, combined with a school psychologist. The teachers/school counselors have nothing to do with diagnosing either.

    It sounds like you're on the right track. I'd research IDEA and your state laws. While IDEA is a federal mandate, different states tweak how services are provided. Ultimately, educate yourself and your rights. You're supposed to be working as a team, so don't let the school or one person tell you what "they " are going to do. You have to sign off on everything, so know what he eligible for based on his Least Restrictive Environment(LRE), and don't let anyone bully you into what you don't feel is right for him. You have rights to copies of everything also.
  • meandmy243meandmy243
    Posts: 6,317Member
    My ds graduated from his iep.. im trying.to.get him on a 504. he has dwarfism.. so.he needs accomidations like proper seat and desk height. being able.to wash his hand etc..
    mom of wild children
    going to the chapel 7/5/2014
  • pdxmama
    Posts: 1,470Member
    My son has an IEP, always has and I insist on being involved in development of, and any changes to it. I didn't know shit about them really, but before he started kindergarten I got a really good book that has a tonight of info in it. It's called 'The Complete IEP Guide - How to Advocate for Your Special Ed Child' by Lawrence M. Siegel. It's a NOLO Book (they make Legal books for regular people. It's great though, has sample worksheets you can make copies of, etc. Now, it is mostly from a legal standpoint, knowing your rights, due process, IDEA laws. Another book I have is called 'Hopes and Dreams - An IEP Guide for Parents of Children with ASD.' by Kirby Lentz, Ed. D. Now this one is not a legal book at all. It's a book geared toward building relationships, advocating in a child centered way, building goals based on child's strengths, etc. It is geared toward kids with ASD, but it still has some great ideas and info that would pertain to any kid with special education needs. You might look for something like these. Also, the best advice someone gave me is, whenever possible bring another adult to IEP Mtgs who's there just to take notes for you. It's way hard to participate in the process and take good notes at the same time. And, this way you don't just have to rely on the school district's notes. You might remember things differently.
  • chaosmomchaosmom
    Posts: 3,846Member
    Do they regulate who can come to the meeting with you & participate in it? His therapist works with the schools, doing IEPs among other things, but she does not work with my son's school. Would I be able to bring her with me & would they listen to her recommendations? I know I can ask her but she is trying to step back & let me do my thing because it's great therapy for MY anxiety. It would just be nice if I had someone there that knew what was going on & was completely on my son's side so I don't freak the fuck out.
  • Rosie08
    Posts: 494Member
    @pdxmama is right, and I'm so glad you mentioned bringing another adult with you. I usedto get in trouble for telling parents all their rights. And remember, just because you start withan IEP or 504 doesn't mean you can't change later if you're not satisfied with what is going on.
  • Rosie08
    Posts: 494Member
    You can bring whomever you want and don't let them tell you otherwise.
  • pdxmama
    Posts: 1,470Member
    @chaosmom I brought my son's special ed preschool teacher to the first one, bc I didn't know what to expect, and wanted someone who knew him personally.
  • chaosmomchaosmom
    Posts: 3,846Member
    That is a big relief! I'm losing it just trying to help him & get him to school every day. He had to miss today because he woke up in a depressed mood & has been crying allllll day long. He has been so anxious because *gasp* homework was supposed to start today & he "just can't get it done".
  • Buggy_Boo
    Posts: 213Member
    @chaosmom - I'm a therapist and have been to many IEP meetings with clients and their families.
  • MarySunshineMarySunshine
    Posts: 5,446Member
    @chaosmom Rosie08 hit the nail on the head! Definitely do not let anyone bully you. I will be honest, sometimes an idividual or two will try. An IEP sounds like the best way to go for DS. And yes, they can be modified and changed. In my school district they looked them over yearly to see if changes needed to be made (that was mandatory), but they also made changes as the school year progressed and if the student needed more or less modifications.
    I'm as sexy as a burp mid-kiss. Watch out!

  • Rosie08
    Posts: 494Member
    They legally have to revise them yearly, as well as when someone feels the students needs are no longer being met in the LRE. Thats federal law.
  • OxiMOMOxiMOM
    Posts: 3,028Member
    I had an IEP and would have been screwed without it. I'm dyslexic and ADD. I also went to special Ed school 5-7th grade public school repeating 7th grade and 8th grade. Special Ed school for 9th then public 10-12th. I returned to private school in 9th grade because the person in charge of the IEP's at the time was really a bitch and decided there was no way a kid in 8th grade could know what she needed they had an IEP in place but were reluctant to adjust what was in place for me. When I returned to public school for 10th grade a new woman was in charge. She met with me before school started hand picked classes and teachers for me totally biased on my personality and who would work best with me ect. About a month into school I needed some stuff changed ( needed copies of notes in some classes and extended testing time ect.) I went to find out when they were going to review so I could make the changes. She said it seemed I knew what I needed and was mature enough to request changes. She checked with my mom/teachers and added /removed things when needed. IEP's can be awesome or crappy depending on the people in charge. I hope that helps!
  • Rosie08
    Posts: 494Member
    When a child turns 14 and a half, they have the legal right to attend and be part of the IEP meetings.
  • faery74faery74
    Posts: 69Member
    Without an IEP my oldest son would be even more behind.  He is in 5th grade at a 2nd grade level.
  • momoffiveteensmomoffiveteens
    Posts: 399Member
    My experience is that an IEP allows the school to provide more than the 504. I have a daughter that goes to school on an IEP since preschool. She is now in 9th grade and the IEP has allowed me to make sure the school does what is needed for her in school. In middle school they tried to take her off the IEP and she starting flunking all of her classes. It took a little work but I was able to force the school to put her back on an IEP. Hope that is kind of helpful.
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