What Services Are Offered?
Babies & Toddlers
Babies and toddlers are enrolled in their state's early intervention programs.
Most services are given in the home and include help learning to walk, talk, play,
and develop other skills. Families and caregivers learn to help children reach their
goals. Families also may get help managing problem behaviors and social work support.
Before kids turn 3, they are tested again to see if they need to continue with
special education. If a child qualifies, a plan is put in place for preschool.
Preschoolers
After age 3, kids usually get services outside the home. Preschoolers learn best
when they're around their peers, and teachers help prepare them for kindergarten.
This happens in special education preschools or other learning centers. If needed,
a child may get extra services — such as speech therapy — to help meet
learning goals.
After preschool ends, kids are tested again to see if they need to continue with
special education services in elementary school.
School-Age Kids
Depending on their need, students from kindergarten age through age 21 may qualify
for either an IEP or a 504
education plan:
- An IEP is a custom learning plan. It tells a child's current
grade level creates reachable goals for learning, and has a plan for how the school
will help the child reach those goals. The IEP includes yearly planning and progress
reports.
- 504 plans make sure that kids with special needs get the extra
support they need in the regular classroom. Support might be having an aide in the
classroom, having more time to work on tests or homework, or having a keyboard for
taking notes. These things are called "accommodations."
These two plans might seem the same, but they are different. The IEP provides individualized
special education and related services, depending on a student's need. To qualify
for an IEP, a child must have a disability recognized by the IDEA. The 504 plan helps
a child with a disability succeed in a regular classroom setting.
Students with needs that go beyond what the school district can offer may be placed
in a special school or program.
Teens
The IEP will start to prepare a child at age 14 for adult life. This is called
"transition planning." Transition planning focuses on what a teen wants to do after
graduation — such as college or vocational school, working, or volunteering
— and the skills needed to reach those goals.
The transition plan also includes where a young adult might live and whether he
or she can live independently. It addresses life-skills education (like money management,
transportation, grooming, and household chores), and sets a plan for switching to
adult health care services.
How Often Are Plans Reviewed?
IEPs and 504 plans are reviewed every year. A major review (which usually includes
re-testing) should happen every 3 years.
Can I Change My Child's Plan?
You (or anyone one else on your child's planning team) can ask for a review at
any time. If you disagree with your child's IEP, request a meeting with the IEP team
to discuss your concerns. Parents have the right to be in all IEP planning meetings,
to look over school records, and to disagree with and/or ask to change the plan.
If this effort does not get the results wanted, you can work with a mediator or
make a "due process" complaint to help resolve the issues between you and the school
district. You also can file a complaint through your state education agency or file
a lawsuit.
Your child will continue with services while you go through the resolution process.
What Else Should I Know?
Your child's pathway to learning may be different from what you expected. It may
sometimes feel like an overwhelming process. But remember that you do not need to
go through it alone.
Find support at school and in the community. Talk to other parents who have been
through it before you. Join a support group, either online or in person.
With careful planning and patience, working together with the school, you can help
your child learn and reach his or her full potential.
Date reviewed: February 2018