Does Your Child’s Anxiety, ADHD, or Depression Qualify for a 504 or IEP Plan?

You might be surprised how many public school students receive educational support through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 plan. According to a 2024 US Department of Education report, 17% of public school students currently benefit from special education services or related accommodations. These numbers continue to rise as schools improve screening, and mental health diagnoses become more widely recognized. Knowing whether these plans are right for your child, or if they qualify, can be a confusing process for parents and students. As a mental health professional with a school counseling background, I’m here to help lift the veil!

If your child is struggling with anxiety, ADHD, depression, or learning differences, it can be helpful to consult a specially trained children’s therapist. My counseling approach at Lifeologie Counseling Raleigh thoughtfully blends person-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused brief therapy, and mindfulness techniques. CBT helps children understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected, especially when it comes to worries about their academic performance. Through CBT, kids learn to identify unhelpful thinking patterns such as “I’ll never be able to focus” or “I’m always going to get in trouble”, and replace them with more balanced, less emotionally charged thoughts. During counseling sessions with me, I encourage kids to practice healthy coping skills, including mindfulness, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. 

504: What The Numbers Mean

Section 504 is a federal law that protects those with physical or mental impairments from discrimination that could impact learning. A collaborative team that includes educators, parents, students, and specialists (i.e. school counselor, therapist) determines which accommodations ensure a student’s access to education is equitable. Accommodations could include small group testing, extended test time, frequent breaks, etc.

What is an IEP Plan?

An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is a legal document in the US public school system for a student who qualifies for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

It outlines:

• The student’s specific learning or behavioral challenges
  
  
• Goals for their education
  
  
• The accommodations, modifications, and services the school will provide
  
  
• How progress will be measured
  
  
• Who is responsible for delivering the support

An IEP is developed through a collaborative process including a team of educators, parents, students, and specialists (school counselor, therapist, speech therapist, school psychologist) for students who have a disability. The ultimate goal is student success in the classroom across all platforms: academically, emotionally, and behaviorally. 

Qualifying for School Accommodations 

Many parents are under the impression that requesting a 504 or IEP requires a student to have a learning disability, but it also includes students with mental health diagnoses. When ADHD, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and mood disorders such as bipolar disorder negatively impact a student’s ability to learn or access their education, they are likely to be covered by a 504 plan. IEP eligibility also includes an emotional disturbance category, which can range from disordered eating to problems with authority or relationships.

If you feel your child is experiencing difficulty in the classroom due to mental health challenges: 

1. Reach out to school staff to address your concerns. Most schools have an IEP and 504 coordinator who can help explain what is required for each type of plan. Typically, schools can take up to 6-8 weeks to collect data before determining whether a student qualifies. Coordinators evaluate academic performance, teacher recommendations, and behavioral observations. 
   
   
2. Request in writing (via email) that you would like your student to be assessed for special education services, including a 504 or IEP. It may be helpful to include any observations you have made, as well as your specific concerns.
   
   
3. While sharing a diagnosis with school staff is not legally required for a 504 plan, getting a letter from your child’s therapist or pediatrician can be helpful when planning what accommodations may be most supportive.

How Therapy Can Help Your Child, Tween, or Teen

If you have concerns around your child’s mental health needs and the effect it may be having on equitable access to education, reach out to me at Lifeologie Counseling Raleigh in North Carolina at (919) 900-7552 or find a children’s counselor near you in our directory. Professional counseling can help kids feel empowered to make decisions about their futures and advocate for themselves in the classroom.

Therapists can: 

• Help land on an accurate diagnosis and suggest relevant accommodations that your child could benefit from in the classroom. 
• Collaborate with the education team to share observations and progress made during therapy sessions. 
• Assist your child with building coping skills such as emotional regulation, conflict resolution, self-advocacy, decision making, and executive functioning. 
• Draft a temporary support plan and collaborate with school staff on what would be acceptable. Some schools may accept a plan of support if a full IEP or 504 isn’t needed (i.e. a sudden loss in the family, or a temporary bridge of support while waiting for further diagnosis).

As a current therapist and a former school counselor, I am well-suited to act as a sounding board and support you through this process. Please reach out to me if you are concerned about your child. I have immediate availability for new-client appointments and am in-network with most insurance plans. Take the first step today!