IEP & 504 Plans in Georgia: A Parent's Complete Guide

Quick Answer

Learn how to navigate IEP and 504 plans for your autistic child in Georgia, including evaluation timelines, your rights, state-specific resources, and how to file a complaint.

Last updated April 23, 2026.
Primary topic: IEP 504 plan autism Georgia.

About this information

This educational guide is published by AutismHearts. It has not been independently clinically reviewed. Confirm important medical, legal, benefits, and education decisions with qualified professionals or official agencies.

Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional legal or educational advice.

Georgia's special education system is administered by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) through its Division for Special Education Services and Supports (DSESS). Georgia uses a "Strategic Delivery System" for special education that emphasizes data-driven decision-making and progress monitoring, making it important for IEPs to include measurable, specific goals that can be tracked over time.

Your Rights Under Federal Law

All autistic children in Georgia are protected by:

IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act): Entitles eligible children to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE), including an IEP.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act: Provides accommodations for students with disabilities that limit major life activities, even if they don't qualify for an IEP.

IEP vs. 504 Plan: Which Does My Child Need?

Georgia follows federal IDEA eligibility criteria, with autism recognized as a qualifying disability category. Georgia's DSESS provides annual training to districts on autism-specific evaluation practices and IEP quality indicators.

Most autistic children qualify for an IEP because autism typically affects educational performance requiring specialized instruction. A 504 Plan is appropriate for autistic students who can access general education with accommodations only (extended time, sensory breaks, preferential seating).

How to Request an IEP Evaluation in Georgia

Write a letter to your child's school principal and special education director requesting a comprehensive educational evaluation under IDEA.
Georgia's Georgia Department of Education requires schools to complete the evaluation within 60 calendar days of parental consent, consistent with the federal standard.
If the school declines, they must provide written notice (Prior Written Notice) explaining why.

Sample request language:

"I am writing to request a comprehensive educational evaluation for my child, [name], under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). I believe my child may have a disability that adversely affects their educational performance and requires special education services."

What to Expect at the IEP Meeting in Georgia

Georgia IEP teams must include: a regular education teacher, a special education teacher, a school district representative, a person who can interpret evaluation results, and the parents. The student may attend when appropriate.

The IEP must include:

Current levels of academic and functional performance
Annual measurable goals
Special education and related services (speech, OT, ABA if needed)
Least restrictive environment statement
Accommodations and modifications

Georgia-Specific Resources and Programs

Georgia Department of Education DSESS: Provides parent guides, IEP resources, and procedural safeguards at the GaDOE website.
Babies Can't Wait: Georgia's IDEA Part C early intervention program for children birth to age 3 with developmental delays, coordinated through the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Parent to Parent of Georgia: Georgia's federally funded parent training and information center, offering one-on-one support, workshops, and IEP navigation assistance.
Georgia Advocacy Office: Legal advocacy and protection for Georgians with disabilities, including special education rights.
GaDOE DSESS Complaint Office: Handles state complaints regarding IDEA compliance in Georgia schools.

Filing a Complaint in Georgia

If Georgia schools are not following your child's IEP or 504 Plan, you have three options:

State complaint: File with the Georgia Department of Education DSESS — must be resolved within 60 days.
Mediation: Voluntary, free process with a neutral mediator through GaDOE.
Due process hearing: Formal legal proceeding before an impartial hearing officer.

Contact Georgia's DSESS Complaint Office for complaint procedures.

504 Plans in Georgia

Section 504 is administered at the district level, and Georgia's GaDOE has issued technical assistance documents for district 504 coordinators. Common 504 accommodations for autistic students include extended time, sensory breaks, preferential seating, noise-canceling headphones, and reduced homework loads.

Search providers offering school support services in Georgia →

Providers in Georgia with details from their own websites

Services and links below are copied from each provider's website, with sources on the listing. Confirm details directly with the provider.

3kaba LLC · ABA Therapy, Locust Grove, GA
Aba Concepts LLC · ABA Therapy, Sandy Springs, GA
A Brighter Alternative Bh · ABA Therapy, Atlanta, GA
A.W. Holdings, LLC · ABA Therapy, Milledgeville, GA
Aba Centers Of Georgia LLC · ABA Therapy, Atlanta, GA
Aba Direct LLC · ABA Therapy, Atlanta, GA
Aba Grateful Care Ga LLC · ABA Therapy, Atlanta, GA
Agc Pediatrics, LLC · Diagnosis & Evaluation, Cartersville, GA
Atlanta Child Neurology, Pc · Diagnosis & Evaluation, Atlanta, GA
Augusta Developmental Specialists, LLC · Diagnosis & Evaluation, Augusta, GA
Braselton Pediatrics, LLC · Diagnosis & Evaluation, Hoschton, GA
A Step Above Pediatric Therapy · Speech Therapy, Suwanee, GA
A To Z Pediatric Therapy, LLC · Speech Therapy, Atlanta, GA
Abc Pediatric Therapy Partners, INC. · Speech Therapy, Athens, GA
Abc Pediatric Therapy Services, INC. · Speech Therapy, Marietta, GA
Abc Speech And Language Therapy, INC. · Speech Therapy, Snellville, GA
Able Speech And Feeding LLC · Speech Therapy, Atlanta, GA
Access Therapy Solutions, LLC · Speech Therapy, Decatur, GA
Accessibletx, LLC · Speech Therapy, Atlanta, GA
Across All Ages · Occupational Therapy, Avondale Estates, GA

Frequently asked questions

How do I get an IEP for my autistic child in Georgia?

Submit a written evaluation request to your child's school principal and special education director under IDEA. Georgia schools must complete the evaluation within 60 calendar days of receiving your written consent.

What is the IEP evaluation timeline in Georgia?

Georgia follows the federal 60-calendar-day timeline from written parental consent to completion of the evaluation. After the evaluation, the IEP team meets for an eligibility determination and, if the child qualifies, develops the IEP.

Can my autistic child get both an IEP and a 504 plan in Georgia?

No. A student cannot have both simultaneously. If your child qualifies for special education under IDEA, the IEP is the governing document. A 504 plan is only appropriate for students who need accommodations but do not require specialized instruction.

How do I file a special education complaint in Georgia?

File a written complaint with the Georgia Department of Education's Division for Special Education Services and Supports (DSESS). Complaints must be filed within one year of the alleged violation and are resolved within 60 days. Mediation and due process hearings are also available through GaDOE.