Stories from the team

You asked the school for more help, and someone told you a 504 plan is enough. Now you're wondering if that's actually true, and whether you're allowed to push for anything else. Here's the short answer: you can ask for a full evaluation in writing at any time, even if your child already has a 504 plan. You don't need the school's permission to ask, and an existing 504 plan doesn't take that right away. Let me walk you through what these two things actually are, so you can decide what fits you

The school said no to an IEP. You still have options. Learn why schools deny IEPs, what the law requires them to tell you, and the steps you can take to disagree, from asking for a meeting to filing a complaint.

Disagree with your child's school evaluation? Under federal law, you can ask for an independent educational evaluation (IEE). The school must either pay for it or request a due process hearing to defend its own evaluation. Here's how the process works and what to do first.

If the school said no out loud, you're entitled to that answer in writing. Learn what prior written notice is, what it must include under IDEA, and how to use it to plan your next request.

504 accommodations for ADHD, grouped by symptom: seating, movement breaks, extended time, and how to get each one written into the plan so it sticks.

A parent's guide to what to expect at an IEP meeting: who's in the room, the agenda from start to finish, and a copyable checklist of what to bring, ask, and avoid.

An IEP is reviewed at least yearly and reevaluated every 3 years. Learn the IEP review timeline and how to request an early review in writing at any time.

Accommodations change how your child learns; modifications change what they're expected to learn. See 9 same-task IEP examples and why the difference matters.

The 13 categories of special education under IDEA are explained in plain language, with a real example for each and the exact next step to request an IEP evaluation.

Special education advocate guide: what they do, advocate vs attorney, IEP advocate cost, and how a free case review works if the school denied your IEP.

IEP transition planning is required by age 16. Get the checklist for transition goals, services, and assessments, plus where plans go wrong and how to fix them.

An IEP for dyslexia should teach reading, not just add extra time. Learn which structured literacy services and accommodations to request, and how to document your need.

A plain-language IEP accommodations list: 10 common classroom accommodations sorted into presentation, response, setting, and timing, with an example of each.