What to Do in July If You Think Your Child Will Need a 504 Plan
For many families, July feels like a break from school.
But if your child struggled during the last school year, summer is actually one of the best times to begin thinking about accommodations for the fall.
Whether your child has ADHD, anxiety, a medical condition, or another disability that impacts learning, planning ahead can make the transition back to school much smoother.
Here's what parents can do now.
First, Understand What a 504 Plan Is
A Section 504 Plan is designed to provide accommodations that help students access their education on an equal basis with their peers.
Unlike an IEP, a 504 Plan does not provide specialized instruction. Instead, it outlines accommodations that reduce barriers to learning.
Some examples include:
Preferential seating
Extended time on tests and assignments
Movement breaks
Access to teacher notes
Reduced-distraction testing environments
Organizational supports
Flexible deadlines when appropriate
Permission to use sensory tools or fidgets
Every plan should be individualized to the student's needs.
Ask Yourself: What Was Hard Last Year?
Instead of focusing only on grades, think about the bigger picture.
Consider questions like:
Did homework consistently take much longer than expected?
Was your child frequently forgetting assignments or materials?
Were emotional regulation or transitions difficult?
Did they avoid school because of anxiety?
Did teachers repeatedly comment on attention, organization, or impulsivity?
Was your child exhausted after school from working so hard to keep up?
Looking for patterns often provides more useful information than focusing on isolated incidents.
Gather Documentation
Summer is a great time to organize information before the school year begins.
Helpful documentation may include:
ADHD or psychological evaluations
Medical documentation
Therapy recommendations
Previous report cards
Teacher comments
Standardized testing results
Work samples that demonstrate challenges
Having these materials readily available can make conversations with the school more productive.
Don't Wait Until Problems Return
One of the biggest misconceptions is that parents should wait until school starts before requesting accommodations.
In reality, schools often need time to review documentation, schedule meetings, and develop plans.
Beginning the conversation before the school year starts may help accommodations be in place much earlier.
Think Beyond Academics
Many accommodations support areas outside of academics.
Children may benefit from supports related to:
Organization
Executive functioning
Emotional regulation
Transitions
Sensory needs
Attention
Classroom participation
Task initiation
A child doesn't need to be failing academically to qualify for accommodations. Many students earn good grades while expending enormous effort to keep up, leaving them exhausted by the end of the day.
Talk With Your Child
If your child is old enough, involve them in the conversation.
Ask questions like:
What felt hardest about school last year?
When did you feel most successful?
What do you wish teachers understood about you?
What helps when you're feeling overwhelmed?
Children often provide valuable insight into the supports that make the biggest difference.
Start the School Year as Partners
Approaching the school as collaborators rather than opponents often leads to better outcomes.
Most educators want students to succeed. Beginning conversations early, sharing observations, and focusing on solutions can help build positive relationships before challenges arise.
When You're Not Sure Where to Start
Many parents recognize that something wasn't working but aren't sure whether their child needs a 504 Plan, an evaluation, different accommodations, or additional supports.
If you're feeling uncertain, you're not alone.
Understanding your child's unique strengths and challenges is often the first step toward identifying what supports will be most helpful—not just at school, but at home as well.
Planning ahead during the summer gives everyone the opportunity to begin the school year with greater confidence and a clearer roadmap for success.
Need support preparing for the school year?
At Anderson Counseling & Wellness, we work with children, teens, and families to better understand ADHD, executive functioning, anxiety, and school-related challenges. Through comprehensive ADHD assessments, therapy services, and parent consultations, families receive practical recommendations that can help support success both at home and in the classroom.