How do I know if my child needs an IEP or a 504 Plan?

Which document your child will most benefit from depends on their unique needs. According to education advocate Lisa Carey, a 504 is sufficient when a child needs support accessing the learning environment or content. A 504 plan will typically only cover accommodations and, in some cases, services. A child who needs either specialized academic instruction or to be in a special education classroom will probably need an IEP. Special education attorney Grace Clark tells us, “...an IEP does provide more as far as protections for the child. So, generally speaking, if you qualify for an IEP, you would get everything you could get from the 504, plus other things — it’s more comprehensive.” If you’re unsure whether your child needs a 504 plan or an IEP, Clark advises the parent to request that their child be assessed, which will provide information about the type of supports their child needs. From there, the parent and school can discuss whether an IEP or 504 would be more appropriate.

For more information, see our article, What’s the Difference Between a 504 Plan and an IEP?