504 plans- medical, not behavioral

[Anonymous]

Can someone help me understand if a 504 plan is worth pursuing for a chronic medical condition? Currently we don’t have one. But my child is moving from a small private elementary school to a large public middle. He shouldn’t need any special accommodations on a regular basis. But on rare occasion he may need more time to get to classes or other things. These items seems common sense to me: clearly if you are on crutches, you will need extra time, etc. But in the event he does happen to get injured at school, staff needs to be aware of his condition and act according. Is this 504 worthy?

[Anonymous]

Yes. Does he need things to avoid getting injured, like an elevator pass or being able to leave class a few minutes early/arrive a few minutes late to avoid the hallway crush?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Does he need things to avoid getting injured, like an elevator pass or being able to leave class a few minutes early/arrive a few minutes late to avoid the hallway crush?

Elevator pass, no. But good point on the hallway crush. My other child at middle schools says the hallways are super crowded and fits happen sometimes (and then the ensuing crowd surge). I would definitely like him to avoid injury

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. Does he need things to avoid getting injured, like an elevator pass or being able to leave class a few minutes early/arrive a few minutes late to avoid the hallway crush?

Elevator pass, no. But good point on the hallway crush. My other child at middle schools says the hallways are super crowded and fits happen sometimes (and then the ensuing crowd surge). I would definitely like him to avoid injury

*fights

[Anonymous]

A 504 isn’t terribly difficult to get as opposed to an IEP. I know of many kids with them for medical issues. You will just need some documentation from a doctor. Call the school now and ask to get the ball rolling. We moved a child from private to MCPS HS. They told us DS couldn’t have a formal 504 until the end of the 1st quarter. I found that odd and was suspicious of the delay but they did arrange for him to have what they called “informal accommodations” while we waited. And teachers did honor them. I’d push for it to be formalized before school starts if possible though.

[Anonymous]

Leaving class 3 min early to beat the hallway crush is the most common accommodation I know of. Kids receive this all the time, including on a temporary basis (for broken limbs). I don't know if a 504 is necessary for this. The 504 coordinator is the child's assigned school counselor so you should ask that person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Leaving class 3 min early to beat the hallway crush is the most common accommodation I know of. Kids receive this all the time, including on a temporary basis (for broken limbs). I don't know if a 504 is necessary for this. The 504 coordinator is the child's assigned school counselor so you should ask that person.

I see schools try to offer “health plans” even where the kid qualifies for a 504. The health plan is less enforceable - don’t accept it if your kid qualifies for a 504.

Chronic or recurring conditions qualify for a 504 - provided they “significantly impact activities of daily living”, which includes things like walking.

Also, if your kid is going to need accommodations in college, you want the documented history of a 504 plan.

[Anonymous]

One accommodation that is offered is assistance during fire drills and actual emergencies. Get that. There is also preferential seating (maybe close to the door for easy egress?). If the health condition may hamper his ability to get homework done in the evenings, you could ask for additional time on assignments. DD with migraines has a 504 because she used to be debilitated to the point of having to spend the entire evening in a dark room until her migraine subsided, and then needing to sleep, leaving no time for homework.