IEP & 504 Solutions That Work for Anxious Kids (and their parents!)

If school triggers your child’s anxiety—and your own—it’s time for a better plan.
This toolkit gives you the clarity, language, and strategies to advocate for real support through IEPs and 504 Plans. No more second-guessing. Just a path to peace, progress, and a child who feels safe at school.

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Feel More in Control—Support Your Child’s Anxiety with Confidence

If any of this feels familiar, you’re in the right place…..

Every day feels like a guessing game: Will they make it to school? Will the school call again? Will anyone actually help?

You’re overwhelmed trying to figure out whether an IEP or 504 plan is the right path—and what to even ask for.

Your child’s anxiety is dismissed as “behavior” or “avoidance,” and no one seems to take it seriously.

Two women utilizing 504 accommodations support each other, exchanging glances while seated on a railing.

“ I felt like a failure as a mom because I didn’t know how to help him.

My son struggled to get to school. It was almost like he was frozen; like he is having a panic attack, and he can’t speak. These days are tough. You cannot force him to go to school and yelling does not work. I felt helpless and didn’t know what to do.

All of these things have made a huge difference. He rode the bus, and went to school, eleven days in a row. This was a big change from the beginning of the year.

Now, I feel more confident that he will be able to live on his own someday. Thank you for giving me that peace of mind.”

-Michelle G.

Get what worked for Michelle

But you know what?

I’ve Watched it Happen Hundreds of Times

I’ve been at clients’ homes at 6 am, trying to coerce the child to go to school. I’ve been in my own driveway, trying to get my child on the van.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Real solutions are available. It’s not just a “behavior” or “defiance.” Once kids feel supported and safe, they enjoy school.

Get Instant Access to Anxiety Solutions

Hey there, I’m Lisa Lightner.

Since 2010 I have attended hundreds of IEP meetings with clients and have served several thousand more online. Anxiety is a main concern for parents.

Budget cuts, the pandemic, and staff shortages have made the special education world more challenging. It is more important than ever for you to advocate effectively for your child.

My son started receiving services at just 6 months of age. I found the systems and processes to be overwhelming and confusing. But I promised myself that once I figured it out, I wouldn’t stop sharing until I had told everyone I could how to efficiently and effectively navigate the system.

With this kit, you can be sure you’re adequately prepared.

GET YOURS TODAY

Anxiety IEP/504 Toolkit for Parents

I remember a mom who called me as she cried in the school parking lot, again. Her child had refused to get out of the car, heart racing, stomach in knots. One teacher said, “Of course he’d rather stay home and play Xbox.” Yes, really.

She knew it was anxiety, but didn’t know how to make the school see it, or support it. That’s exactly why I created this toolkit: so no parent has to feel helpless, unheard, or alone when trying to get their child the help they need through an IEP or 504 plan.

A computer screen displays "a parent’s guide to ieps, 504s & anxiety" with several educational worksheets on anxiety and school accommodations in the background.

Say Goodbye to School Anxiety Struggles

START creating Change Today

What’s Included

PART ONE

Understand the Anxiety + Know Your Options

Build your foundation—understand your child’s needs and the systems meant to support them.
-Welcome & What is Anxiety?
-What Anxiety Looks Like in the Classroom
-Should Your Child Have an IEP or 504?
-504 Plan Information
-IEP Assessments and Eligibility

PART TWO

Take Action with the School

Know what to ask for and how to ask for it. This section gives you practical tools for getting real support in place.
-Email Templates for Emailing the School
-IEP and 504 Accommodations for Anxiety
-IEP Goals for Anxiety
-School-Based Interventions for Anxiety
-Counseling as an IEP Related Service
-School Avoidance/School Refusal Solutions

PART THREE

Support & Empower Your Child

Help your child thrive—in and out of the classroom—with tools for emotional regulation, self-advocacy, and home-based strategies.
-Anxiety Workbook for Students
-Self-Advocacy Worksheet for Students
-Anxiety Self-Advocacy Strategies
-Anxiety Planner
-Home Activities to Reduce Anxiety

This is just what we needed, thank you so much. I feel more optimistic than I have felt in a long time. Thank you!!!!!

Kim R

$17

Yep, that’s it. For lifetime access, including all future additions.

Start Helping Your Child Today

Here is the list of Modules and Tools Included in this Course:

Welcome & What is Anxiety? Start here to understand how anxiety shows up at school—and what you can do about it.
Should Your Child Have an IEP or 504? Get clear guidance on which support plan fits your child’s needs so you can confidently advocate for the right one.
Email Templates for Emailing the School: Use these plug-and-send templates to communicate effectively, advocate clearly, and start getting real responses from the school.
School-Based Interventions for Anxiety: Explore evidence-based strategies schools should be using, so you know exactly what to ask for.
Anxiety Self-Advocacy Strategies: Empower your child with tools to speak up, ask for help, and navigate their anxiety at school.
Anxiety Workbook for Students: A student-friendly, fillable workbook to help kids name their feelings, build coping tools, and take small steps toward calm.
Home Activities to Reduce Anxiety: Simple, structured activities that support emotional regulation and anxiety reduction, right from your living room.
What Anxiety Looks Like in the Classroom: Recognize the signs of anxiety in a school setting so you can stop misinterpretations before they derail your child’s progress.

School Avoidance/School Refusal Solutions: Step-by-step strategies to get your child back to school without forcing or shaming.
IEP Goals for Anxiety: Edit-and-paste IEP goals specifically designed to target emotional regulation, attendance, and self-advocacy.
IEP and 504 Accommodations for Anxiety: An extensive list of accommodations that actually work—and how to get them added to your child’s plan.
Counseling as an IEP Related Service: Understand how (and when) counseling should be written into your child’s IEP—and how to hold the school accountable.
Self-Advocacy Worksheet for Students: A printable worksheet to help your child practice saying what they need in a safe, supported way.
504 Plan Information: Everything you need to understand, request, and manage a 504 Plan for a child with anxiety.
Anxiety Planner: Track symptoms, triggers, and school communications all in one place—so patterns are easy to spot and share with the team.
IEP Assessments and Eligibility: Know what evaluations are necessary, how to request them, and what they should uncover when anxiety is a factor.

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