School accommodations are changes or support that remove barriers and help students:
Attend class and other school activities
Take time off for medical appointments
Use accessible classrooms and other school spaces
Get transportation or parking accommodations
Complete schoolwork and tests
Get extra time for assignments and tests
Take tests in a quiet place
Receive notes from a classmate or teacher
Use technology that helps with learning
Take part in school activities
Use adaptive furniture or equipment
Choose preferred seating
Manage health needs during school
Take breaks to rest when needed
Access food, water, restroom, medicine, or medical devices
The accommodations your child gets depend on their needs.
School accommodations can help if a disability or health condition affects your child’s learning or school participation.
Who may need school accommodations
You can ask for school accommodations if a disability or health condition affects how your child learns or takes part in school. A disability is a condition that can affect how your child:
Thinks
Moves
Communicates
Functions in daily activities
Some disabilities or health needs may be related to:
Does my child have health needs that affect schoolwork, testing, transportation, or school activities?
What support would help my child learn and take part in school?
What school accommodations are available
The support your child gets depends on their needs. Some students only need classroom support. Others need formal support.
Your child’s school will work with you to decide what supports best meet your child’s needs.
Classroom support
Sometimes small changes can help your child do well. A teacher may:
Let your child sit where they learn best in the classroom
Give directions 1 step at a time
Check in to make sure your child understands an assignment
Break large assignments into smaller steps
Help your child make up missed work
The teacher can often give this support without a formal plan.
Some students need more than classroom support. For these students, the school may suggest an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 Plan.
Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
An IEP provides special education, accommodations, and related services to students whose disabilities or health conditions affect how they learn and take part in school.
An IEP may include accommodations for:
Teaching and learning goals that meet your child’s needs
A 504 Plan helps students with a disability or health condition learn and take part in school. It does not include special education.
A 504 Plan may include accommodations for:
Testing
Attendance
Transportation
Physical education (PE)
Field trips
How to ask for school accommodations
If you think your child may need school accommodations, talk with their:
Teachers
School counselor
School administrator
Section 504 coordinator (if your school has one)
Therapists or other specialists
To help the team understand your child’s needs, share:
Information about your child’s diagnosis, treatment, and health needs
Examples of things that have helped your child at home or at school
Questions you want to ask
Your child’s school may gather information through:
Classroom observations
Talking with you, your child, and your child’s teachers
Schoolwork, report cards, and test results
Health information from your health care team
You will review your child’s strengths, challenges, and evaluation results with the team. They can help you decide if your child needs classroom support or formal support. It is best practice to request a meeting in writing if you want to discuss concerns and possible accommodations for your child.
Reviewing and updating school accommodations
Your child’s needs may change during treatment, recovery, or as they grow. Review their school accommodations regularly to make sure they meet your child’s needs.
Ask the school to review your child's support if:
Your child's treatment or health needs change.
Your child is having new challenges at school.
Current accommodations are no longer helping.
You think extra support may be needed.
If you have concerns, ask for a meeting with your child’s school team to discuss possible changes.
Know your rights
Understanding your rights can help your child get the support they need.
Federal law protects students with disabilities from discrimination. Many schools must provide eligible students with equal access to classes, programs, and services.
If your child qualifies, their school must consider requests for reasonable accommodations.
To learn more about your child’s rights and responsibilities, visit the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education.
Key points about school accommodations for children and teens
School accommodations are changes or support that can help your child learn and take part in school.
You may ask for accommodations for your child if a disability or health condition affects school.
Some students only need classroom support while others may need formal support.
You will work with your child’s school and care team to choose supports that meet your child’s needs.
Talk with your child’s school and care team about updating your child’s accommodations as their needs change.
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