Does Your Child Need a 504 Plan? Here’s What You Need to Know. 🎓
Not every child struggling in school needs special education services, but some students do need legally protected accommodations to level the playing field. That’s where a Section 504 Plan comes in.
A 504 Plan (named after Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act) provides students with disabilities or medical conditions the accommodations they need to access their education—without changing academic expectations.
Let’s break it down.
What’s Included in a Section 504 Plan? 📝
A 504 Plan should include:
✔ Identification of the child’s impairment (usually a medical diagnosis)
✔ A list of specific accommodations (extra time, preferential seating, breaks, etc.)
✔ Who is responsible for implementing the accommodations
✔ Any additional relevant notes (though interventions are typically separate)
Here’s the key difference: A 504 Plan provides legal rights to accommodations.
A building-level plan may include accommodations, but it does not guarantee them under federal law.
Here's an example of what a 504 Plan might look like:
Who Qualifies for a 504 Plan? 🤔
504 Plans are for students with a disability or medical condition that significantly impacts a major life function—such as learning, concentration, or mobility.
📌 Common Diagnoses That Qualify for a 504 Plan:
ADHD (most common)
Anxiety Disorders
Diabetes (automatic qualification in Ohio)
Dyslexia (if not severe enough to require an IEP)
Epilepsy
Chronic Illnesses (like Crohn’s, migraines, or autoimmune diseases)
Hearing/Vision Impairments
📌 What about Autism? If a child with Autism does not need specialized instruction (which would require an IEP), they may still qualify for a 504 Plan for accommodations.
🚨 Important: Schools often try to deny 504 eligibility unless a condition is severely impacting performance. Be prepared to advocate for your child.
How to Get a 504 Plan: The Process 🔄
Here’s how it typically works (though districts may vary):
1️⃣ Request a 504 Evaluation
✅ Write a formal request to the school counselor or principal.
✅ The school must respond and schedule a team meeting.
2️⃣ The School Holds a Meeting 🏫
At this meeting, the team will discuss:
✔ Whether a 504 Evaluation is appropriate
✔ Whether they should try a building-level plan first
✔ A timeline for follow-up if a building-level plan is attempted
(🚨 Schools may push for a building-level plan instead of a 504 Plan. If your child needs legal accommodations, don’t let them sidestep the process.)
3️⃣ The 504 Evaluation Happens 📊
If approved, the school will:✔ Gather medical documentation of the condition✔ Review teacher input and classroom observations✔ Conduct parent interviews✔ Possibly administer rating scales or assessments
(Note: Unlike an IEP evaluation, a 504 does NOT require standardized testing—but some schools still do it.)
4️⃣ Another Meeting is Held 🤝
The team will:
✅ Review the evaluation results
✅ Determine eligibility for a 504 Plan
✅ If eligible, write the plan (often in the same meeting)
📌 If the school says no:
They should provide a building-level intervention plan instead. You can request another evaluation if no progress is made.
5️⃣ Implementation & Annual Review
✔ Once the plan is written & signed, the school must provide the accommodations immediately.
✔ The district reviews the plan annually to adjust as needed.
Important Facts About 504 Plans 🚨
📌 504 Plans ≠ IEPs. A 504 only provides accommodations, while an IEP includes specialized instruction and more legal protections. (We’ll cover IEPs in a later post!)
📌 504 Plans Follow to College. IEPs do not. If your child has a learning disability or ADHD, having a 504 Plan can help ensure they get college accommodations.
📌 Diabetes Automatically Qualifies in Ohio. Schools cannot deny a 504 Plan for students with Type 1 Diabetes under Ohio law.
📌 There Are No Required “Team Members.” Unlike an IEP, 504 teams don’t require specific members. Usually, it’s:
✔ Parent/Guardian
✔ School Counselor or Administrator
✔ Regular Education Teacher
✔ Sometimes a School Psychologist (if testing is involved)
📌 Private Schools Are NOT Legally Required to provide 504 Plans. However, many offer Accommodation Plans with similar supports.
📌 504 Plans Can Include Some Related Services. If necessary, they can include mental health, OT, PT, or speech/language therapy. Schools often push back on this, so be prepared to advocate.
What Questions Do You Have About 504 Plans? 🤔 Drop them in the comments below!
📞 Call or text: 614-470-4466
📧 Email: admin@achievepsychology.org
🌐 Visit: www.achievepsychology.org
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