Comments on: Which Does Your Child Need: IEP or 504b?

By: Jolene

Jolene — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:35:22 +0000

Kristen,

Sorry this response is so delayed. Life has been crazy around here for the past few weeks.

I’m sorry I can’t answer your question very well. Qualifications for IEPs and 504b plans vary state by state, and I would hate to give you wrong advice. So instead, I will refer you to the 504b information and Q & A page at the WrightsLaw website:

http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/sec504.index.htm

If that doesn’t answer your question, scroll to the bottom of the page and send your question in an email via “contact us.”

You didn’t mention your son’s age, but as a former teacher, I have this advice. If your son’s handwriting is legible, don’t worry to much about the handwriting marks. They are the least of a child’s school worries. In this day and age, a simple solution is to teach him to keyboard (by middle school, teachers accept assignments printed out) instead. In fact, that could be his 504 accommodation now – learn keyboarding and allow him to turn in assignments printed on the computer.

Jolene

By: Kristen

Kristen — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 20:55:19 +0000

My son keeps getting poor marks in hand writing, and has been seen by a private occupational therapist who states that he would qualify for OT. The schools state that he has to have a cognitive delay in order to get OT in the schools. Would a 504B plan allow him to receive private OT during school hours (as my husband and I work during the week, leaving no time for therapies otherwise)?
Thank you.

By: Jolene

Jolene — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 15:42:16 +0000

Hmmm…I haven’t heard of using a 504b for ADD before. Could you tell me more about what would be included in the plan? It’s hard to comment without knowing a little more.

By: Bobbie Dawson

Bobbie Dawson — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 14:55:23 +0000

My daughter has been on an IEP plan for most of her elementary years because of her ADD and learning disabilities, such as reading. She is reading at a normal level now and is doing really well in Math also. So now they want to place her on a 504b because she still has some focus issues. Is this appropriate for a child who has been diagnosed with ADD. I know it is a medical diagnosis but it is not a physical medical diagnosis as she as stated above.

Thanks,

Bobbie

By: Three Ways to Maximize Services for Kids with Special Needs | Different Dream

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:29:26 +0000

[...] Once children reach school age, their disability must affect their educational progress to qualify for educational services. Schools are not required to provide remediation for a medical diagnosis that don’t affect a child’s ability to learn. But they must provide accommodations so a diagnosed medical condition doesn’t prevent instruction or learning. You can find a more detailed discussion of Jenn’s advice on this topic at Which Do You Need: IEP or 504b? [...]