#btw in order from most to least common it goes: 504 IEP BIP

[lexosaurus]

here's a reference for people writing school-aged disabled characters in the US and are confused whether their character would be receiving a 504 vs IEP vs BIP:

✨ 504 documents center around accommodations only (including medical). accommodations allow the student different access to the curriculum in some way while still upholding them to the same standards of learning. for example, a student might have accommodations for 50% extra time on tests/quizzes, reference or formula sheets for math tests, sentence starters for english class, assistive technology like text to speech/speech to text, tests given in a low-stimulus location, etc.

✨ IEP documents, while they almost always do grant accommodations, also must include modifications which change the actual content of the class in some way. common examples of curriculum modifications could be a reduction in the material for classwork and homework, separate and reduced tests, a difference in expectation for output (for example, on a project, a student may be graded based on a different rubric or based on effort vs correctness), placement in a skills development/learning center/resource class, etc. IEPs may also grant services to the student like speech and OT.

✨ IEPs also may include a BIP, or a behavioral intervention plan (BIPs can technically exist independently from an IEP though that's rare). a BIP is used to provide strategies for harmful and/or destructive behaviors. BIPs are granted after a long data-collection process, so in my experience they are very individualized. examples could include the use of a 5-point scale, lots of walks to cool off when the student is feeling dysregulated or when prompted to by the teacher, breaks with preferred activities after completing x amount of nonpreferred tasks, a goal chart to track progress, a safety plan, etc.

So, in short:

Character is being held to the same standard of material but just needs changes in how the material is presented or accessed? 504

Character is behind held to a reduced or otherwise altered standard of material or requires additional support with alternate learning environments, smaller class sizes, and more staff? IEP

Character's disability is manifesting behaviorally and is causing them to engage in dangerous, harmful, or destructive behaviors (like getting into fights with students or destroying school property)? BIP

(again, IEPs can include all 3).