DS will be starting kindergarten in the fall, so we're in the process of transitioning from preschool early intervantion services to the school district. They've completed their evaluations and are saying that he will qualify for PT, OT, and classroom "modifications" to deal with his various SID-related issues. All of this seems okay, but I'm getting very confused by terminology. Apaarently, he is will be considered to have a disability but notbe a special-ed candidate and therefore will have a 504 plan rather than an IEP. I've been trying to get some answers about what this exactly means, but haven't come up with much. Is a 504 plan a legally-binding document like an IEP? I don't care what they label him as long as he gets the services he needs, but I need a better handle on what they're talking about!

Thanks!
Paula
b/g/b 11/00

That confuses me because from what I understand you MUST have an IEP in order to get services such as OT, PT, etc..

I thought a 504 was for accomodations/modifications only. It is a legally binding document.

Try searching the web for your state's special education law. It may vary from state to state.

Lori --
Mom to Zac (9/91) and triplets Noah, Karissa & Jazmine (5/98 at 27 weeks)

I don't know if a 504 plan is legally binding or not, but from my experience with them, they aren't nearly as effective as an IEP. It is usually monitored by a dean or counselor not a special education staff person. I also don't think you can get OT and PT without an IEP. A 504 plan is for accommodations, nothing else. I would ask a lot more questions before giving up that IEP!!

Lori

Mommy to ggg born at 29 weeks, 5 days on 1-30-01

Whomever mentioned that a 504 is not as effective as an IEP, you are 100% correct. A 504 typically just gives teachers suggestions for modifications that a student may need due to issues like diabetes allowing the school to have a plan to monitor this illness. If your child has qualified for OT and PT, there needs to be some sort of goals that your child should be shooting for and this is documented in the IEP which is legally binding. I would most definately push for an IEP over a 504 so that you get the services you need. I would ask the question, why a 504 instead of an IEP.
I am the principal at an elementary school, so if you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

I would also recommend the IEP over the 504. I used to work at a school and there were some school staff who would push the parents to go for the 504, much less paperwork and responsibility for them... However the school my child is at now pushs for the spe ed iep thing. The school can draw down funds for this. It is pretty confusing..
Jen

jennifer

Thanks everyone for your responses. You've really validated my feeling that this isn't quite right, so I'm going to pursue this further. Thanks again, you guys are great!

Paula