The Short Version
An IEP (Individualized Education Program, under the IDEA law) provides specialized instruction plus services — therapies, goals, progress monitoring, and legal protections, for students whose disability affects educational performance. A 504 plan (under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act) provides accommodations only — changes to how the student accesses the same instruction (extra time, sensory breaks, preferential seating), with no specialized instruction or goals.
Side by Side
- Evaluation: IEP requires comprehensive evaluation and classification by the CSE; 504 has a lower bar — a disability that substantially limits a major life activity
- What you get: IEP = services (speech, OT, counseling), modified instruction, measurable goals, an annual meeting, progress reports; 504 = accommodations list
- Protections: IEP carries stronger procedural rights for parents (consent requirements, due process, IEEs)
- Team: IEP is run by the CSE; 504 by a school-level team
Which Fits an Autistic Student?
Many autistic students need an IEP — because autism typically affects learning, communication, or social functioning at school in ways that require services, not just accommodations. A 504 tends to fit students who are academically on track and mainly need environmental supports (sensory breaks, testing accommodations, organizational help).
How to Request Each (New York)
- IEP: email the district's CSE chairperson requesting a comprehensive special education evaluation — our IEP & CSE Tool Kit includes exact wording
- 504: write to the school's 504 coordinator (often the principal or school psychologist) requesting a 504 evaluation, with documentation of the diagnosis
If the District Says No
A refusal to evaluate must be in writing, and you can challenge it. For IEPs you also have the right to an Independent Educational Evaluation if you disagree with the district's findings. Document everything, and connect with your local SEPTA — other parents know your district's patterns.
Related Reading
This page is educational information, not medical, legal, or financial advice. Every autistic person is different — consult qualified professionals for guidance specific to your family.