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IEP for ADHD: what it covers, with an example

By the IEP Atlas editorial teamLast updated

Short answer

A child with ADHD can get an IEP when ADHD affects their learning enough that they need special teaching, not just changes in the classroom. Most children with ADHD who get an IEP qualify under a category called other health impairment. The IEP lists what your child can do now, goals for the year, the help they will get, and how progress will be checked.

ADHD can make school hard in ways that have nothing to do with how smart your child is. Starting work, keeping track of papers, sitting through a long lesson, or waiting a turn can all take more effort. An IEP is one way the school can help. This page shows what an IEP for a child with ADHD usually looks like, part by part, so you can compare it with your child's plan.

An IEP is a written plan for a child who qualifies for special education. It is a legal document. The school must follow it.

Can a child with ADHD get an IEP?

Yes, if two things are true. First, your child has a disability that fits one of the categories in the special education law. Second, because of that disability, your child needs special teaching to make progress in school.

ADHD is named in the federal rules as one condition that can count as an "other health impairment." That category covers health conditions that limit strength, energy or alertness, including alertness to the classroom.[1] Some children with ADHD also qualify under another category, such as a learning disability.

A diagnosis alone does not lead to an IEP. The school must evaluate your child. If your child needs changes in the classroom but not special teaching, the team may suggest a 504 plan instead. The page on 504 vs IEP for ADHD explains the difference.

An IEP for ADHD, part by part

Below is a short example for a made-up 4th grader named Sam. Each part has a note in plain words about what it means and what to look for.

Present levels (where Sam is now). "Sam reads and does math at grade level when working one on one. In class, he starts independent work a median of 8 minutes after directions, based on 10 days of data. He turns in 4 of 10 homework assignments. He calls out about 12 times in a 45-minute lesson."

Annual goal 1. "After directions for independent work, Sam will start the task within 2 minutes on 4 of 5 days, for 4 weeks in a row."

Annual goal 2. "Using a planner checklist, Sam will write down each assignment and pack the needed materials before leaving class, on 8 of 10 school days."

Special education services. "Specialized instruction in organization and self-monitoring, 30 minutes, 2 times per week, in the resource room. Consultation between the special education teacher and the classroom teacher, 15 minutes per week."

Accommodations. "Directions given in writing and out loud. Seat near the teacher, away from the door. Movement break every 20 minutes. Tests in a small group with breaks."

Behavior support, if needed. "Sam will use a self-monitoring card in math and reading. The teacher will check the card at the end of each lesson."

Progress reports. "Progress on each goal will be reported each quarter, with report cards, using teacher data."

Goals you might see in an ADHD IEP

ADHD goals usually focus on how your child works, not only what they learn. Common goal areas:

  • Starting work on time
  • Staying with a task for a set number of minutes
  • Keeping track of materials and assignments
  • Checking work before turning it in
  • Raising a hand and waiting to be called
  • Noticing and rating their own focus

You can see many more examples, with ways to measure them, in the IEP goals for ADHD guide and the ADHD goal bank.

Questions to ask the team

You can say these out loud at the meeting, or bring them on paper.

  1. "What did the evaluation show about how ADHD affects my child at school?"
  2. "Can you show me the numbers behind the present levels?"
  3. "Which goal is most important this year, and why?"
  4. "Who will teach the skills in each goal, and how many minutes a week?"
  5. "How will I know if a goal is working before the end of the year?"
  6. "Which accommodations will be used on tests?"
  7. "What will you do if my child is not making progress by the next report?"
  8. "Is there a plan for behavior, or does my child need one?"
  9. "Can we try something at home that matches what you do at school?"
  10. "Can I have a draft of the IEP before we sign?"

More questions for any IEP meeting are on the page about questions to ask at the IEP meeting.

What to do next

  1. Ask for an evaluation in writing if your child does not have an IEP yet. Date the letter and keep a copy. The guide on how to request an IEP evaluation has a sample letter.
  2. Bring what you know. Share notes from your child's doctor, report cards and what you see at home with homework.
  3. Read the draft before the meeting if you can. Mark anything that has no numbers or that you do not understand.
  4. Check progress reports. Compare each report with the goal. If the numbers are not moving, you can ask for a meeting at any time.
  5. Get free help. Every state has at least one Parent Training and Information Center. They help families understand the IEP process at no cost.[4]

The CDC has plain-language information about ADHD in children, including how it is treated.[5] For a fuller picture of IEPs for learning and attention needs, see the guide to IEPs for learning disabilities and ADHD.

Frequently asked questions

Does a doctor's ADHD diagnosis mean my child gets an IEP?

No. A diagnosis is helpful, but the school must do its own evaluation. Your child gets an IEP if ADHD affects learning enough that they need special teaching. If they need only classroom changes, a 504 plan may fit better.

What category is ADHD under for an IEP?

Most often, other health impairment. The federal rules name ADHD as one condition that can fit that category. Some children with ADHD qualify under another category, such as specific learning disability, if they also have a learning disability.

Can my child with ADHD have both an IEP and medication?

Yes. Medication is a choice you make with your child's doctor. The school cannot require medication for your child to attend school or get an evaluation or services. The IEP is about teaching and support at school.

Can an IEP for ADHD include behavior goals?

Yes. If behavior gets in the way of learning, the IEP can include goals for skills like waiting a turn or starting work, and supports like a behavior plan. Goals should name a skill your child will do, not just what they should stop.

Use it in IEP Atlas

Sources

  1. 34 CFR §300.8: Child with a disability, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
  2. 34 CFR §300.320: Definition of individualized education program, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
  3. 34 CFR §300.324: Development, review, and revision of IEP, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
  4. Center for Parent Information and Resources, CPIR
  5. ADHD in Children, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Written and checked by the IEP Atlas editorial team under our editorial policy. This guide describes general practice and federal rules. It is not legal advice; your state may add requirements, and the IEP team makes the decisions for each student.

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