Care Plans, IEP's, and 504's
Refer to this reading for general information about Care Plans, Treatment Plans, Treatment Goals, IEP's and 504's. You may also be interested in reading about tips to writing successful goals here.
What is an IEP?
An IEP is a form of documentation used in school districts. It stands for Individualized Education Plan. IEPs are used for children will special needs, whether they have autism, behavioral or emotional problems, visual impairments, or any other type of special need.
Who writes the IEP for my child?
There is usually a Transition Specialist, employed by the school district, as well as the child's teacher for the next year, parents, and most recent teacher (if applicable). Sometimes the school may have a Special Education Liaison, speech pathologist, or social worker that may attend an IEP meeting as well.
What sorts of things do we talk about at an IEP meeting?
The purpose of an IEP meeting is to set goals for the child during the school year. The IEP is something that the school district is legally responsible to complete. Goals may include a behavior or compliance goal, a literacy (reading) goal, abstract thinking (math) skills, among others skills specific to your child. It may be a good idea to write down key things you would like to see your child work on during this school year. If it is your very first IEP meeting, the goals that are set are likely to be temporary, until the school district has a better understanding of who your child is, and will likely rewrite the IEP goals at some point in the year.
How long do IEPs last?
The initial IEP will last one year for most school districts. After the first IEP, the following ones (when goals are updated) occur every three years, depending on your specific district. At that time, your child may be reassessed to see if they still qualify for special education services.
Who writes the IEP for my child?
There is usually a Transition Specialist, employed by the school district, as well as the child's teacher for the next year, parents, and most recent teacher (if applicable). Sometimes the school may have a Special Education Liaison, speech pathologist, or social worker that may attend an IEP meeting as well.
What sorts of things do we talk about at an IEP meeting?
The purpose of an IEP meeting is to set goals for the child during the school year. The IEP is something that the school district is legally responsible to complete. Goals may include a behavior or compliance goal, a literacy (reading) goal, abstract thinking (math) skills, among others skills specific to your child. It may be a good idea to write down key things you would like to see your child work on during this school year. If it is your very first IEP meeting, the goals that are set are likely to be temporary, until the school district has a better understanding of who your child is, and will likely rewrite the IEP goals at some point in the year.
How long do IEPs last?
The initial IEP will last one year for most school districts. After the first IEP, the following ones (when goals are updated) occur every three years, depending on your specific district. At that time, your child may be reassessed to see if they still qualify for special education services.
What is a 504?
504's are to be used to provide a "Fair an appropriate public education" (FAPE). A 504 is a plan, similar in format to an IEP, that is used within school districts. The difference is instead of planning for additional services a child in special education may need (like intensive speech therapy services, social skills services, etc.), it instead creates a plan for putting accommodations into place.
What is an accommodation?
An accommodation may be thought of as a safety plan in some instances. Frequently, children with severe allergies or asthma, but who do not receive special education services will a receive a 504 that will talk about what to do case of an asthma attack or an allergic reaction. For instance, procedure for administering and Epipen in case of a bee sting or exposure to peanuts. 504's may be used for children with autism who are at a developmental level that they are within a general education (mainstreamed) classroom, but may need services.
How do I get a 504?
The process of getting a 504 is similar to getting an IEP. A parent will need to initiate the procedure with the school, and in some places the school district to being the process.
What is an accommodation?
An accommodation may be thought of as a safety plan in some instances. Frequently, children with severe allergies or asthma, but who do not receive special education services will a receive a 504 that will talk about what to do case of an asthma attack or an allergic reaction. For instance, procedure for administering and Epipen in case of a bee sting or exposure to peanuts. 504's may be used for children with autism who are at a developmental level that they are within a general education (mainstreamed) classroom, but may need services.
How do I get a 504?
The process of getting a 504 is similar to getting an IEP. A parent will need to initiate the procedure with the school, and in some places the school district to being the process.
Care Plans
What is a care plan?
Care plans may also be called treatment plans, treatment goals, presenting problem, or something similar depending on where you are receiving services. Care plans are documents designed by parents are service provider's (ABA therapist, social worker, tracker, etc.) to design appropriate goals for the child for a predetermined length of time, usually a year. Goal creation for a care plan is similar to that of an IEP or a 504. Goals may address behavior, compliance, eating, sensory integration difficulties, attention, social skills, or any number of other things that you feel like your child should work on.
How do I get a care plan?
Most places your child will receive treatment will have a "best practice" standard for goals and documentation, and will likely talk to you about goals at the beginning or shortly after the beginning of treatment. If not, you have the right to tell the treatment team what your goals are for your child.
References:
(n.d.) Protecting Students with Disabilites. U.S. Department of Education. July 3, 2012. Retrieved from: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html.
(n.d.) Guide to the Individualized Education Plan. U.S. Department of Education. July 3, 2012. Retrieved from:http://www2.ed.gov/parents/needs/speced/iepguide/index.html.
Care plans may also be called treatment plans, treatment goals, presenting problem, or something similar depending on where you are receiving services. Care plans are documents designed by parents are service provider's (ABA therapist, social worker, tracker, etc.) to design appropriate goals for the child for a predetermined length of time, usually a year. Goal creation for a care plan is similar to that of an IEP or a 504. Goals may address behavior, compliance, eating, sensory integration difficulties, attention, social skills, or any number of other things that you feel like your child should work on.
How do I get a care plan?
Most places your child will receive treatment will have a "best practice" standard for goals and documentation, and will likely talk to you about goals at the beginning or shortly after the beginning of treatment. If not, you have the right to tell the treatment team what your goals are for your child.
References:
(n.d.) Protecting Students with Disabilites. U.S. Department of Education. July 3, 2012. Retrieved from: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html.
(n.d.) Guide to the Individualized Education Plan. U.S. Department of Education. July 3, 2012. Retrieved from:http://www2.ed.gov/parents/needs/speced/iepguide/index.html.