When you first start hearing terms like 504 and IEP, it can feel like a whole new language—one no one handed you a dictionary for. I remember thinking, Aren’t these basically the same thing? (Spoiler: they’re not.) I’m not an educator or a lawyer—just a mom sharing what we’ve learned along the way. But understanding the difference between a 504 plan and an IEP was a turning point for us. So, let’s break it down in plain English. What is a 504 Plan? A 504 plan is designed to p