The difference between IEPs and 504 plans

Understood Explains

The terms IEP and 504 plan may come up a lot when you’re looking into special education for your child. These school supports do some of the same things, but one can provide more services and the other is easier to get.

And it’s important to know the differences in order to get your child the support they need.

On this episode of Understood Explains, host Juliana Urtubey will break down the differences between IEPs and 504 plans, and which one might be right for your child.

For more resources, including a transcript formatted for easy skimming, visit the episode page on Understood.org.

Timestamps:

(00:53) What is a 504 plan?

(02:16) What’s the difference between an IEP and a 504 plan?

(08:15) Can my child have an IEP and a 504 plan at the same time?

(09:36) Should my child switch from an IEP to a 504 plan?

(10:45) What do multilingual learners need to know about IEPs and 504 plans?

(11:58) Key takeaways

Related resources:

• 10 smart responses for when the school cuts or denies services
• Understood Explains Season 1

Understood is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give