Understanding 504 Plans and IEPs
for Mental Health Needs
When teens require accommodations for their mental health in school, a common question on the minds of parents and youths is What are IEPs and 504 plans for student mental health?
The idea of special education and mental health needs can be daunting for parents and teens. They may be concerned about how treatment could affect a teen’s ability to learn and how this will affect their future.
504 plans and Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are school-based support systems that protect adolescents’ rights in education when they need accommodations for mental health treatment. However, which plan your child receives will depend on their condition and needs.
A mental health professional can discuss these plans with teens and their families – and can also help them advocate for the right plan for their needs. This guide can also help by covering:
- What 504 plans and IEPs for mental health are – and who qualifies for them
- Which plan is right for a teen’s needs
- What rights are available for teens with mental health needs
- Parents’ rights in IEP and 504 plan meetings
- How to advocate for mental health accommodations in school
- Where to find support for teen mental health needs
Special Education and Mental Health Needs: 504 Plans and IEPs
What Are 504 Plans for Student Mental Health?
To put it another way: 504 plans level the playing field for all students. A student with mental health challenges should be given access to regular classes – but with accommodations or supplementary services if needed.
Who Qualifies for a 504 Plan?
Anxiety disorders- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
A group of qualified 504 examiners evaluates and determines your child’s eligibility for the plan. After an evaluation and decision, parents receive a notice of their child’s placement in the 504 plan. However, parents and teens can contest a decision if they’re not satisfied with it.
School-Based Mental Health Accommodations in a 504 Plan
Under the 504 plan, your child will get accommodations such as:
- A tailored and modified classroom environment. For instance, the location where they’re seated can be altered depending on their needs
- Modified schedules and tailored assignment requirements. For example, during an exam, they may be given extra instructions and extended time
- A designated support person, such as a preferred teacher
- Assistive technology, such as noise-canceling headphones or speech-to-text software for dyslexia, and so on
- Frequent breaks, such as access to “safe rooms”
What Are IEP Accommodations for Mental Illness?
When your child faces significant academic, behavioral, emotional, or mental health challenges that seriously hamper their academics and life quality, the school may consider giving them an IEP. IEPs are generally more intensive than 504 plans and may be required if your child needs a mental health leave of absence.
Who Qualifies for Individualized Education Plans for Emotional Disorders?
To determine if a child needs an IEP, the school will conduct an independent evaluation of your child by:
- Making classroom observations
- Interviewing parents and teachers
- Conducting standardized testing
- Considering medical records and diagnoses
If all factors indicate that a teen needs accommodations for their well-being and learning, they may provide an IEP. However, getting an IEP for your child can be complicated. So, it may help to talk to a mental health advocate.
If your child does get an IEP, they will get the following IEP accommodations for mental illness:
- Specialized behavior management support
- Educational services based on their needs
- Individualized sessions with a learning specialist
Mental Health Services in Special Education: Which Plan Is Right for a Teen?
Both 504 plans and IEPs provide educational rights for mentally ill teens and have their own strengths and shortcomings – there isn’t necessarily a “better” option. The best plan for your child is the one that works for them, and this will be the goal of all professionals involved in their care.
Nevertheless, let’s consider IEPs and 504 plans for some specific mental health conditions.
How to Qualify for a 504 Plan for Anxiety
Students with anxiety frequently benefit from the 504 plan. If a student has anxiety that impacts their ability to focus and perform in school, a mental health professional can discuss whether this plan is suitable for their needs.
504 plans can make accommodations such as the following for students with anxiety:
- Allowing a student to come in late or leave early
- Providing designated seating spots in the classroom, such as in a “calm” area
- Permission to present work directly to a teacher instead of a class
- Access to safe spaces or quiet zones if they need to regulate their emotions
- School counseling services for learning anxiety coping skills
However, anxiety and IEP support in schools is also available if a student has worries that severely impact their ability to learn and perform day-to-day tasks. Again, professional mental health advice can steer you in the right direction regarding which of these plans is best suited to your child’s needs.
School Support for Students with Depression
Depending on a teen’s depression symptoms and how these affect their daily functioning, 504 plans and IEPs can both work to provide the necessary accommodations for their needs. However, if your child requires time off from school for inpatient treatment, an IEP may be the best choice.
You may need to provide evidence of a diagnosis for an IEP, but a mental health professional can support you regarding what you need to disclose to your child’s school. If they do receive an IEP, this means that your child will receive:
- A tailored education plan
- Support for managing emotional problems that may be affecting schoolwork
- Modified workload
- The right to access or withdraw from certain classes
- Flexible attendance
- Access to school-based interventions, such as counseling services
Disability Rights in Education for Teens with Mental Health Needs
In the US, two major federal laws 3 protect the disability rights of teens with mental illnesses. These include the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
These laws have separate frameworks to cover and protect teens with mental health conditions in school, but they strongly advocate for disability rights in education for teens.
These laws help protect students’ rights by:
- Requiring schools to identify and evaluate all children with mental health needs
- Providing mental health services in special education to all eligible candidates
- Developing an individualized education program (IEP) with the help of teachers, counselors, and parents.
- Making accommodations based on 504 plans
- Providing free, appropriate public education
- Safeguarding against discrimination or segregation in school activities
- Facilitating participation in all activities
Parents’ Rights in IEP and 504 Plan Meetings
As parents of a child with a mental health condition, you play a crucial role in advocating for mental health accommodations in school. For instance, if you suspect that your child is struggling with their mental health, you can request:
- Evaluation and mental health services in special education
- To actively participate in meetings to determine the right plan for your child
- That the school inform you about decisions made about your child’s evaluation and placement.
- A re-evaluation if you disagree with decisions made
- To collaborate with counselors, educators, and other specialists to successfully implement mental health education plans
Advocating for Mental Health Accommodations in School as a Parent
The following are steps you can take to protect your child’s rights and ensure they get what they need to navigate the education system. A mental health professional can also guide you in this process.
- Gather all records of your child’s academic and mental health struggles and behavioral issues – be it teacher’s notes, child’s medical reports, result cards, and so on
- Write a formal letter to the school education coordinator and request an evaluation. Keep a record of any correspondence
- Review the evaluation report and schedule a meeting with the evaluators to discuss findings. Keep copies of all evaluation reports
- Voice any concerns by requesting to be a part of any discussions regarding your child’s education and mental health
- Regularly monitor your child’s progress on their plan to continuously reassess their needs and success.
Get Support for Teen Mental Health Needs Today
Adolescence can be a time of rapid change, so it can be challenging to navigate for both teens and their parents. However, this period can be even more demanding if a teen struggles with a mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Conditions such as these can affect a teen’s ability to learn, attend school, and social confidence – meaning that they may require school-based accommodations for their mental health.
While parents want to make sure their child’s school life isn’t overly impacted by their mental health needs, it can be difficult to know where to start making arrangements.
Mission Prep can help. We provide evidence-based services and programs to support teens struggling with a variety of emotional and academic challenges, so we can talk you through mental health education plans. Our approach is always to be compassionate and to hold teens’ and families’ needs at the core of our personalized services.
Contact Mission Prep today to talk to our specialist team.
References
- HealthyChildren.org. (n.d.). IEPs and 504 Plans: A guide for parents. American Academy of Pediatrics. Retrieved April 24, 2025, from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/developmental-disabilities/Pages/Individualized-Education-Program.aspx
- School Avoidance Alliance. (2024, February 29). 504 plans: Anxiety, depression, more. https://schoolavoidance.org/504-plans-and-school-avoidance/#fape-slidein
- U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). The civil rights of students with hidden disabilities and Section 504. Retrieved April 24, 2025, from https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/individuals-disabilities/section-504/hidden-disabilities
