Free guide
How to prepare for a 504 or IEP meeting when your child has ADHD
You know your child better than anyone in that room. The hard part is saying it clearly while sitting across from several school staff, a stack of forms, and a lot of acronyms. A little preparation goes a long way.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules and timelines vary by state and district.
504 plan and IEP in plain English
A 504 plan gives a student accommodations so they can learn alongside classmates. Examples: seating near the teacher, extra time on tests, movement breaks.
An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is for students who qualify for special education services. It includes goals, services, and regular progress reports.
Not sure which one your child has or needs? Ask the school directly. It is a normal question.
Before the meeting
1. Write down what you see. Three or four specific examples beat a general worry. “He finishes about half of each math worksheet before time runs out” is more useful than “he struggles in math.”
2. Gather paperwork. Report cards, teacher emails, any evaluation or diagnosis letters, last year’s plan if there is one.
3. Pick your top three. You may not get to everything. Decide what matters most this year.
4. Ask who will be there and whether you can see any reports ahead of time.
5. Write your questions down. You will forget them in the room. Everyone does.
During the meeting
- Bring your notes and use them. Nobody expects you to do this from memory.
- If you hear a term you don’t know, stop and ask. “Can you say that in plain terms?” is always fair.
- Ask how each accommodation will actually happen. Who does it, when, and how will you know it is working?
- You can ask for time to read a document before signing it.
- It is fine to bring someone with you to take notes.
After the meeting
Send a short email the same day or the next: thank them, list what was agreed, and note who is doing what by when. A written summary keeps everyone on the same page and gives you something to point to later.
Then set a reminder a few weeks out to check in on how it is going.
Want the worksheets done for you?
Your Child’s ADHD School Meeting Kit is an 8-page, click-to-type toolkit: plain-English terms, a meeting-prep worksheet, ready-made accommodation language, note-taking pages, and follow-up email templates.
See the School Meeting Kit