504 plan for SPD and writing challenges

[straighthaircurly]

I have no experience with 504 plans and frankly had never heard of one until my son's teacher mentioned it recently. DS is just finishing 1st grade (year round school schedule) and he struggled with writing all year. Complaining it made him too tired, that it was too hard. His teacher made some modifications within the classroom setting and we also started OT again in June. His teacher recommended that we request a 504 plan for 2nd grade because she is concerned that not all teachers would make the modifications he needs without an official plan in place.

His writing difficulties appear to stem directly from his SPD. He doesn't get the necessary sensory feedback for being able to adequately control his posture, feel the necessary pencil pressure, and needs to move almost constantly.

His OT is putting together a list of suggested modifications in the classroom, but I am just trying to understand what to expect at the meeting. Do other people have experiences they can share about 504 plans for SPD and writing issues? What pitfalls can there be in this process? Any advice?

Thank you

[heatherdeg]

The 504 is also a legally binding document the schools have to follow--just like an IEP. However, the schools get no special funding for 504 plans. In practice, they are often used for more "physical" issues like asthma, wheelchair accommodations, etc. I've had kids who had ADHD with IEPs and others that had 504s. I don't exactly remember how or why because it's been a while, but I do recall that 504s somehow escape the Special Ed classification and I only know this because one of my 504 kids with ADHD had a mother that taught in my school and she went this route because of something to do with IEPs being reported as part of school records to colleges or something like that.

But it's just as legally binding as an IEP. We have never had a meeting to create a 504 the way we've had for IEPs and in that respect, they're much easier. They're also not as comprehensive as an IEP. So my 504s have been 1-2 pages vs. the IEPs which are usually between 10-40 pages (with 40 not really being the norm, but 20 is).

Hope this helps...

[Linda on the move]

A 504 is a great option! My DD with Asperger's has one. They are simple and straightforward and easy to modify.

The meeting can be just a couple of people or a whole team. My DDs school was wonderful and her 504 meeting was warm and fuzzy.

You need to request the 504 in writing -- a real letter on paper with a date and a signature. I'd say something like:

Dear Principal:

I'm requesting a 504 Plan for my son NAME. NAME has difficulty writing due to sensory processing issues. His teacher last year, Ms XXXX, made accommodations for him unofficially, but I feel it is in his best interest to formalize the accommodations necessary for him to be successful in school.

Please find the attached copy of the report from NAME'S occupational therapist listing suggested modifications.

Sincerely,

You might also ask the first grade teacher to put in writing what she did last year and add it to your letter, and if you have a copy of his official dx, that would be nice too.

My biggest advice is to be clear in what you ask for, but non-confrontational. This isn't a battle, this is just a group of people trying to figure out how to make your little guy successful, and everybody wants what is best for him.

[Kristine233]

From what I understand the 504s are for more medical stuff to ensure the right accomodations are made/allowed for the issue. An IEP is for more special needs accomodations that fall outside the medical ones. At least thats how it was explained to us and at various trainings I went to. My son has writing issues too related to his ASD (and of course SPD with that). He gets "physically frustrated" when he writes, its tiring, not much feedback and his lack of cordination makes it hard. His IEP covers this beautifully. He has an aid that can write for him and he also has a NEO AlphaSmart that he types on. We tried for a couple years to work on the writing with OT but finally gave in to the idea that its more productive to just not fight this one and he's done soooo much better in school now.

So I'm not sure what the difference would be in your case as far as how both the 504 and IEP would differ. I'd talk to the special ed teacher at your school to find out if she/he has any inside to how it would be used at your school and which would be most appropriate for him.

[straighthaircurly]

My understanding is that because his learning issues are limited to just this one area that he does not qualify for special education services in the school, therefore the 504 was a better choice than an IEP. I also feel an IEP would be overkill. DS is the kind of kid who will struggle with one area in his learning but if given a little extra support will suddenly get it all figured out and then take off like a rocket. Hopefully this will happen with the writing too. With the OT sessions outside of school, he is already starting to do a lot more independent writing in the classroom and has been better able to complete homework. And most importantly he is feeling more positive about writing.

I made a written request already. And his current teacher has written a whole description of what has and has not worked with him the past 2 years. One of the benefits of being at this school is that they do "looping" where he has the same teacher for 2 years in a row. So she knows him really well. And looping has been a huge success for DS!

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by straighthaircurly

My understanding is that because his learning issues are limited to just this one area that he does not qualify for special education services in the school, therefore the 504 was a better choice than an IEP.

There is a list of dx's that qualify for an IEP, but a 504 plan can be written for any reason. IEP's must contain goals with measurable outcomes, but 504s don't. An IEP meeting must include certain personal from the school, but a 504 can be written by just the parent and the principal.

504s are great if they will get your child everything they need.

[heatherdeg]

From wrightslaw (with IDEA referring to Federal laws for readers who are not aware):

If the child has a disability that adversely affects educational performance, the child is eligible for special education services under IDEA. Children who eligible for special education services under IDEA are protected under Section 504 (but the converse is not true).

If the child has a disability that does not adversely affect educational performance, then the child will not be eligible for special education services under IDEA but will usually be entitled to protections under Section 504.

It is not about the diagnosis, but about the type of accommodations needed. So a child in a wheelchair or a child with asthma or diabetes would clearly have a 504 since these don't impact learning--but clearly need accommodations made for them. I've seen ADD on a 504 with learning accommodations on them--which by wrightslaw is legally inaccurate.


From a prior thread on this topic in this forum...

This is a good overview of 504 plans: http://www.504idea.org/504overview.html

for a general 504 Overview. Excellent reading in plain English. Section II ` "For 504-only kids........(FAPE)"is the most explanatory.

Depending on the accommodations being made for the OP's dc, it may really be an IEP thing... Having taught a student with full-blown dysgraphia (not related to SPD), I could see it falling in either. It's definitely a physical accommodation and his inability to write didn't affect his ability to learn; but it did affect my ability to assess his learning in written form (which was required by my district from time to time). I'm guessing the accommodation would've really been a 504 in that case. The accommodation was the use of a laptop and access to printing out responses so I could assess vs. something I had to do FOR him to accommodate learning.

[khaoskat]

I would also look into if your child qualifies for services (like OT) through school system as well. This way you are getting specific therapy that is related to school based things - like the writing.