IEP homework accommodations: examples to ask for

An IEP can change how homework works for a child with ADHD, autism, dyslexia or another disability. Here's what it is, what your rights are, and the homework accommodations families ask about.

By Billy Miecuna, co-founder of Homework Turtle · Updated October 11, 2026

What an IEP is

An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is a written plan under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). It has to describe how your child's disability affects their progress, set measurable yearly goals, say how progress will be reported, and list the special education, services, supports and accommodations the school will provide.

To qualify, a child needs to fall under one of IDEA's disability categories and need special education because of it. Three categories cover most of the kids we hear from: autism, other health impairment (ADHD is listed as an example) and specific learning disability (dyslexia is named there). A diagnosis on its own isn't enough.

If your child doesn't need special education but still needs supports, a 504 plan may fit better. Our guide to 504 plan homework accommodations explains the difference.

Accommodations or modifications?

An accommodation changes how your child learns or shows what they know, while the expectations stay the same. Extra time and typed answers are accommodations. A modification changes what your child is expected to learn or do, like easier or different assignments. Modifications are generally only found in IEPs.

Homework accommodations to ask about

The IEP team decides what fits your child, so treat these as a starting point:

• Extra time on assignments, and credit for partial or late work.
• Fewer problems per worksheet, graded on the ones that are done.
• An assignment notebook or digital calendar, with a check that homework got written down.
• Long assignments broken into chunks with their own due dates.
• An extra set of books at home, so nothing gets left at school.
• Audiobooks or text-to-speech for reading assignments.
• Speech-to-text or dictated answers for written work.
• Typing instead of handwriting, with a spell-checker.
• A copy of the teacher's notes or a lesson outline.
• Graphic organizers for writing and planning.
• A visual timer and frequent breaks.

Your rights, in short

• You're on the team. Parents are members of the IEP team, along with teachers, a district representative and others.
• You can ask for an evaluation at any time. Contact the teacher, principal or special education director. The evaluation is free, and it has to be finished within 60 days of your consent, or your state's own timeline.
• The school needs your consent before the first evaluation, and again before it first provides services.
• The IEP is reviewed at least once a year, and you can ask for a meeting any time. Your child is reevaluated at least every 3 years.
• You get notice in writing. The school has to tell you in writing before it changes, or refuses to change, your child's services, and explain why.
• You can disagree. If you disagree with the school's evaluation, you can ask for an independent one at public expense. You'll get a copy of your procedural safeguards, which explains your options.

Before the meeting

1. Write down what homework looks like at home. How long it takes, where it breaks down (starting, keeping track, finishing), and what you've tried.
2. Bring examples. A worksheet that took two hours says a lot.
3. Bring your list of accommodations, and ask how each one will be put in place and checked.

Where Homework Turtle fits

Homework Turtle keeps every assignment and due date in one list and calendar, and splits big assignments into smaller steps. It has a focus timer, and Shelly, an AI tutor that explains one step at a time. Parents can see what's due and what's done, which helps when you're describing homework at an IEP meeting. AbilityBridge, inside the app, has resources on IEPs, 504 plans and accommodations. It's free to start.