Quick primer for anyone new to this, then I'd love to hear how families decided which path to push for. A 504 plan provides accommodations — changes to how a child accesses the regular curriculum (e.g., extra time, sensory breaks, preferential seating, noise-cancelling headphones). An IEP is a legally binding plan that provides specialized instruction and related services — it can change what and how a child is taught (e.g., speech therapy at school, OT, social skills groups, modified curriculu…