IEP vs. 504 Plan: Which One Does Your Child Actually Need?

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Is your child struggling in school, but you aren’t sure what kind of support to ask for? Hearing terms like 504 Plan, IEP, RTI, and educational evaluations can feel overwhelming—especially when you just want your child to succeed.

In this episode of Help I Have Kids, host Pam Marshall (pediatric OT with 35+ years of experience) sits down with special education teacher, BCBA, and mom Jill to break down everything parents need to know about navigating 504 plans and IEPs.

Whether you’re just starting the evaluation process or wondering why a medical diagnosis wasn't enough to get school services, this episode gives you the exact tools and legal timelines you need to advocate with confidence.

💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
The Core Difference: Accommodations (504 Plan) vs. Specialized Instruction (IEP) and how to know which one your child qualifies for.

The 10-Day Rule: How to make a formal parent request for special education testing (and the strict timeline schools must follow).

Medical vs. Educational Diagnosis: Why a doctor’s diagnosis doesn’t automatically guarantee an IEP at school—and how to bridge the gap.

Re-evaluations & Timelines: What happens during 3-year IEP re-assessments and what checklist items parents can request.

How to build a strong partnership with your child's homeroom teacher to get data collected faster.

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