IEP, 504 Plan, and the Current State of the Department of Education Date: 3/21/2025

by Noriko Abenojar

Mar 21, 2025

Hello everyone!

With so much uncertainty surrounding education and special education right now, I wanted to send out an extra newsletter this week to help keep us informed.

Special education law—or any law—is not my area of expertise, so I’m sharing information from a reputable source. I’ll include links so you can explore further and stay updated.

Since this situation is evolving quickly, I’m marking this newsletter with today’s date. Please keep this in mind if you are reading this newsletter at a later date.

As always, I am grateful to have you here!

Noriko

The Difference Between an IEP and a 504 Plan

Read this article from www.understood.org

IEP vs. 504 Plan: What Is the Difference Between IEP and 504 Plan?

What Happens to my Child's IEP if the U.S. Department of Education Closes?

Read this article from www.understood.org

How changes at the U.S. Department of Education could affect neurodivergent kids

Noriko Abenojar, MSW PPS
Parenting REdefined

www.NorikoAbenojar.com

www.SocialAndCognitiveLearningCenter.com

Instagram: @NorikoAbenojar

Facebook: Parenting REdefined by Noriko Abenojar MSW PPS

Responses

Join the conversation

t("newsletters.loading")

Let's Pause Together Before the Big Rush

"If we don't stop to celebrate the growth, we risk unintentionally keeping our kids in a constant state of growth, and taking the joy out of the journey." Let's pause before June hits us in the face. Before the end-of-year chaos kicks in and it all blurs straight into summer.This week, I want us to look back. Not at what's unfinished, at what grew. Why This Matters I often talk about the Gro...

My Mother's Day Hack for Every Mom in the Grind

A Mother's Day message from Noriko Happy Mother's Day to all of the mamas, grandmas, and autie mamas. I am thinking about all of you today! You are the mom who is in it. Deep in it. Managing meltdowns, advocating at meetings, Googling strategies at 10pm, and still showing up the next morning ready to try again. This year, I want to give you a simple hack. Three words. "Tell me more." That's ...

Why you and your child keep getting stuck

Sometimes it’s not just your child. And it’s not just you either. It’s the dynamic between the two of you. You might notice moments like this: You keep asking your child to do something…and they keep resisting. The more you push, the more they push back or freeze. It can be so frustrating, like nothing is working. In moments like that, it’s easy to focus on: 👉 “Why won’t my child just do t...

Parenting REdefined Newsletter

Join my email community for weekly tools, insights, and real-life strategies to help you support your child’s social–emotional development with more clarity and confidence. Providing parents with tools and education to confidently guide their child's social skills development.