Keep any paperwork, like returned homework, testing results, or independent evaluations, that could indicate that your child needs additional support at school. Consider keeping a daily journal of how your child behaved during each school day along with any teacher or school staff reports. Your child needs to have a documented disability, such as ADHD, to be eligible for a 504 plan, so any evidence of this will be helpful during the evaluation and decision process.Īs soon as you notice that your child is struggling at school, start documenting all of your observations. This is especially true if they haven’t yet received an ADHD diagnosis.

It is helpful for assessment professionals to have documented evidence of what your child needs to be successful at school. These are the steps that you can take as a parent. It’s important to know that getting a 504 plan is a joint effort involving every member of your child’s education and treatment team. There are several steps you need to take to be successful in getting a 504 plan for your child. With a 504 plan, your child may receive extra time when taking tests, take tests in smaller chunks of time, use a calculator during an exam, along with other special education services. Even if your child has been found ineligible for an IEP, they could still qualify for a 504 plan. ADHD typically qualifies as a disability under this law.Ī 504 plan is distinct from another common type of education plan, the IEP. Section 504 of the federal law requires public schools to provide “free and appropriate public education” (FAPE) to every student with any kind of disability. The law also protects people with learning disabilities from facing discrimination in any federally-funded area.

This law states that students with physical or mental impairments in public schools are legally entitled to accommodations that help them be successful at school. What is a 504 plan?Ī 504 plan refers to Section 504 of a federal civil rights statute know as the U.S. In this article, I’ll detail every step you need to take to get a 504 plan for your child with ADHD as well as what, exactly, a 504 plan entails. Although your child may be entitled to get a 504 plan, many parents find that the process of actually getting one is confusing. If ADHD is causing your child to struggle at school academically, emotionally, or behaviorally, then they have a legal right to certain accommodations, including a 504 plan.Ī 504 plan can provide your child with the support that can include deadline extensions, preferential seating, and more. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood neurodevelopmental condition that can affect how children do in school.

504 plan accommodations for adhd