In a recent allergy question mamas were giving advice about a 504 plan for a new kindergarten student with a nut allergy. What is it? My son is starting a preschool in October...is this something I should know more about? He also has food allergies, one of them is severe enough to have an epi pen.
Section 504 is a well kept secret. But it is often necessary to ask for a Section 504 plan if your child will need accommodations based on medical need. I highly recommend a 504 plan if your child is highly allergic, like my daughter. I've compiled all that I've learned at this site: https://sites.google.com/site/foodallergy504/faq
Feel free to email me with any questions.
http://specialchildren.about.com/od/504s/f/504faq1.htm
This explains it for you, and it specifically mentions food allergies.
A 504 plan is an educational plan for children who have a medical condition that impacts the ability to be successful in the classroom. An allergy to certain foods is usually not a reason to get a 504 plan. For allergies the nurse can keep an epipen at school for the child, and the classroom teacher and students are aware of food allergies in the room (especially peanut).
504 plans are for children with anxiety, depression, severe asthma, ADHD, and other such medical conditions that would keep them out of school or impact how they perform in the classroom. It provides accommodations that can be made for a child in school.
For example, I taught a student that was diagnosed with ADD and anxiety that was severe enough to cause migraines. The migraines kept him home from school, which created absent work, which caused stress, which caused more migraines, which caused him to miss more school, and on and on. I suggested a 504 plan which allowed small accommodations like extended time to complete work, a chance to redo assignments for higher grades, completed study guides sent home before tests, and such. A child with a 504 plan still completes all the same work/curriculum as every other child in the class. This is how it is different than special education. Special education modified work, which may actually change what the child completes to easier, more appropriate assignments.
I hope this helps. You can always talk to your child's school, but in my experience as a teacher there isn't a need for a 504 plan with allergies because the school is always willing to do what is necessary to protect your child.
This is what I found when I googled 504. Question: What is a 504 plan?
Answer: The "504" in "504 plan" refers to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, which specifies that no one with a disability can be excluded from participating in federally funded programs or activities, including elementary, secondary or postsecondary schooling. "Disability" in this context refers to a "physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities." This can include physical impairments; illnesses or injuries; communicable diseases; chronic conditions like asthma, allergies and diabetes; and learning problems. A 504 plan spells out the modifications and accommodations that will be needed for these students to have an opportunity perform at the same level as their peers, and might include such things as wheelchair ramps, blood sugar monitoring, an extra set of textbooks, a peanut-free lunch environment, home instruction, or a tape recorder or keyboard for taking notes.
I don't know that it is really necessary to do a 504 plan unless the school is refusing to work with you on providing the necessary modifications your child needs. If the school is cooperating with you and giving you the support your child needs to function at school this is a waste of time. Peanut allergies and other food allergies are very common now a days and many schools already have policies in place to protect these kids. For example a nut free zone in the school cafeteria where kids with nut allergies can eat. The school can't ban peanuts and all the foods kids are allergic to so your child will need to learn to be an advocate for him/her self.
a 504 plan is the middle man between sped services and general education. It's basically a plan mostly regarding health conditions that says what the school is required to do to give the student their federally mandated free and appropriate public education. (FAPE).
It's commonly used for kiddos who have health needs, but don't have needs that require a full blown IEP (individualized education program). Basically kiddos who are doing fine, but have something such as diabetes or another health condition that requires a plan to ensure the child's health is maintained properly at school.
I know our docs at National Jewish really encourage them, and in some schools you're going to need them. They have a lot of classes and groups over there to help parents sort it all out. Our preschool just doesn't allow any nuts at all rather than deal with the special requirements. It can be scary to send a kid off like that. Our son was old enough to fend for himself. Your son may be, too. There were many times when my son was given something (wrapped) that could have been deadly, but he knew not to eat anything without my permission. I hope you have a great year!
hi, PhoebeLynn, I'm in Denver public schools as well. You may not need a 504 plan, but a different version called a Health Plan, which can be more flexible. If you want to talk about how to get this in DPS, just write to me directly and I can help. take care, S.
