Kids with delayed skills or other disabilities might be eligible for special services that provide individualized education programs in public schools, free of charge to families.

 

 

Parents can now work with educators to develop a plan- the Individualized Education Program (IEP), to help kids succeed in school.  The IEP describes the goals the team sets for a child during the school year, as well as any special support needed to achieve them.

 

 

An IEP is an individual education plan, which is part of the special education law.  It allows for additional services and protections for disabled children not offered to other children such as accommodations, modifications, related and special education services to allow the child to be  successful in school.

 

 

504 plan, of the rehabilitation act of 1973 is a  civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities.  504 plan ensures that a child with a disability has equal access to an education.  The child may receive accommodations and modifications even if he or she does not qualify for special education.  Any school or program receiving federal funds must follow this law.

 

 

Both plans can provide the student with accommodations and modifications to allow a disabled child to be more successful in school.  Related services can be provided for students on either plan, such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech and language therapy.  Neither plan requires the student to have a change of placement.  The child may stay in a regular classroom. 

 

 

In our opinion, a Selective Mutism child should be placed in a regular classroom.

 

 

A student receiving special through an IEP is protected under all section 504 laws.

 

 

504 Plan does require the school to come up with system safeguards such as:

 

* Parental notice of evaluation or placement decision
* Parental review of records
* Impartial hearing for appeals

 

 

 

IEP has a more elaborate system of safeguards to protect the parent and child, such as:

 

* Prior written notice of all evaluations, changes to IEP and placement changes

* Right to an independent evaluation at the public schools expense

* Arbitration or mediation if the parent and school do not agree on the plan

* Administrative complaint process

* Due process hearing

 

 

 

A 504 Plan includes only accommodations, modification, and related services as needed.  It does not allow for direct or indirect services with the student, or consultation services regarding the student between the special education teacher and regular education teacher.  IEP does provide for services through special education teachers with the student and consultation with the regular classroom teachers.