

Instead, information is gathered from different sources and evaluated by the school district's designated 504 coordinator and other staff members. There is no test to qualify for a 504 plan. The degree of impairment will vary and may present as poor test scores, difficulty completing assignments or homework, or behavioral issues. To qualify for support under Section 504, there must be evidence that your child's ADHD symptoms are significantly impacting their educational performance. How A Child Qualifies for 504 Accommodations Accommodations established under a 504 plan are considered learning support services and are designed to manage symptoms in the classroom. Section 504 offers a much broader scope of coverage for various disabilities that require support. Most students with ADHD qualify for services and support under a 504 plan for ADHD. However, if your child has a learning disability in addition to ADHD, they may qualify for an IEP that can support both conditions. Services are often held outside of the classroom with a special education instructor or occupational therapist.ĪDHD is not generally covered under the IDEA unless the child's symptoms are so severe that they need independent instruction.

Qualifying conditions, such as intellectual developmental disorders and speech and language impairments, require specialized instruction and independent skills training. IEPs are used for students who have 1 of 13 categories of specific disabilities. An IEP (individualized education plan) is a special education plan governed by the IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). You may have heard the terms IEP and 504 and wondered how they differed. Seeking educational support services for your child can be confusing at first. It targets the struggles your child is having and proposes the implementation of specific solutions to eliminate or significantly reduce them.ĭifferences Between An IEP And A 504 Plan Under Section 504, public schools are required to accommodate the needs of all students so that every child has an equal opportunity to succeed.Ī 504 plan is a written list of accommodations created by the school to address the child's barriers to learning. Section 504 is a federal civil rights statute, part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits schools from discriminating against students with disabilities. Once these supports are in place, you can evaluate whether additional measures are necessary at school.

A therapist can provide you and your child with behavioral modification techniques such as reward systems, positive reinforcement, scheduling, and ADHD-friendly organization strategies. Your child should also have regular sessions with a licensed therapist that specializes in ADHD. However, it has its benefits and drawbacks and should be part of an overall treatment plan. Medication is one support tool to consider. After your child has been evaluated and diagnosed by a professional, usually a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist, steps can be taken to identify, monitor, and treat ADHD symptoms.
