Can chronic absences be excused in IEP

[Susandink]

My son has a chronic medical condition and this year was diagnosed with a specific antibody deficiency. Due to these conditions he has missed about 20% of school days this year. The doctor wrote a letter explaining the antibody deficiency and how we now know this has caused almost weekly infections resulting in absences. The letter ends by asking that his absences be excused and he be allowed to progress forward academically. (Not have to repeat a junior year.) the cst told me that they could only add a note in Parents Concerns about chronic medical condition and absences. However they would not make any accommodations such excusing absences for chronic conditions flare-ups whether or not there is a doctor’s note.  Can the IEP include accommodations for chronic illness/conditions? 

[Lisa Lightner]

Short answer, yes, absolutely. There is nothing in Section 504 or IDEA that prohibits a school from doing this.

https://adayinourshoes.com/can-a-504-plan-excuse-a-childs-absences/

Yes—1000% yes—an IEP can and should include accommodations for a chronic medical condition.

What your team told you? That they “can only note it in Parent Concerns” and not include it as an accommodation? That’s straight-up and completely wrong under IDEA.

Students with chronic health conditions—like your son's antibody deficiency—can qualify for special education services under the “Other Health Impairment (OHI)” category in IDEA. The key? The condition must impact the student’s strength, vitality, or alertness, and limit their ability to access their education—which, with 20% absences, is clearly happening.

Accommodations and modifications in the IEP can address:

• Attendance and makeup work

• Flexible deadlines

• Modified instructional delivery

• Adjusted course expectations if needed

• Grading policies that reflect medical challenges, not just missed days

• Credit recovery options or waivers

And Yes—Absences Can Be Excused in an IEP

Schools do not get to just say, “We don’t excuse absences for chronic illness.” That’s illegal if it results in denying your child a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). The IEP team can and should put in writing:

• “Absences due to chronic illness or flare-ups will be excused with parent or medical documentation.”

• “Student will be allowed to make up missed work without penalty.”

• “Instructional support will be provided during prolonged absences, including access to class notes, recorded lessons, or homebound services if necessary.”

What They Told You =

Saying “we’ll just note it in Parent Concerns” is not a valid accommodation plan. That’s just… documentation theater. It does nothing to support your child when he’s missing class, falling behind, and potentially being told he won’t pass junior year.

What You Can Say at the Next Meeting

“I am requesting that the IEP include specific accommodations related to [Child’s Name]’s chronic medical condition, including excused absences with documentation and academic support during and after absences. Simply documenting this in ‘Parent Concerns’ does not constitute a meaningful accommodation and does not ensure FAPE.”

You can also cite guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, which has been very clear: chronic illness is a valid basis for IEP eligibility and accommodations. (Ask them if they’d like you to send a link.) Admittedly, the Guidance Letters and Dear Colleague letters feel like thin ice right now. However, we have not been instructed as a nation, that ANYTHING has changed as far as Section 504 or IDEA.

YES, the IEP can and should include accommodations for chronic illness. And the school saying it can’t? Not just wrong, but possibly violating IDEA. Keep pushing. You’re right. They're not.

If you want specifics on details of how to gather data, document, ask the team and respond, check out my online training. Link in signature.

[Susandink]

1 hour ago, Lisa Lightner said:

Short answer, yes, absolutely. There is nothing in Section 504 or IDEA that prohibits a school from doing this.

https://adayinourshoes.com/can-a-504-plan-excuse-a-childs-absences/

Yes—1000% yes—an IEP can and should include accommodations for a chronic medical condition.

What your team told you? That they “can only note it in Parent Concerns” and not include it as an accommodation? That’s straight-up and completely wrong under IDEA.

Students with chronic health conditions—like your son's antibody deficiency—can qualify for special education services under the “Other Health Impairment (OHI)” category in IDEA. The key? The condition must impact the student’s strength, vitality, or alertness, and limit their ability to access their education—which, with 20% absences, is clearly happening.

Accommodations and modifications in the IEP can address:

• Attendance and makeup work

• Flexible deadlines

• Modified instructional delivery

• Adjusted course expectations if needed

• Grading policies that reflect medical challenges, not just missed days

• Credit recovery options or waivers

And Yes—Absences Can Be Excused in an IEP

Schools do not get to just say, “We don’t excuse absences for chronic illness.” That’s illegal if it results in denying your child a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). The IEP team can and should put in writing:

• “Absences due to chronic illness or flare-ups will be excused with parent or medical documentation.”

• “Student will be allowed to make up missed work without penalty.”

• “Instructional support will be provided during prolonged absences, including access to class notes, recorded lessons, or homebound services if necessary.”

What They Told You =

Saying “we’ll just note it in Parent Concerns” is not a valid accommodation plan. That’s just… documentation theater. It does nothing to support your child when he’s missing class, falling behind, and potentially being told he won’t pass junior year.

What You Can Say at the Next Meeting

“I am requesting that the IEP include specific accommodations related to [Child’s Name]’s chronic medical condition, including excused absences with documentation and academic support during and after absences. Simply documenting this in ‘Parent Concerns’ does not constitute a meaningful accommodation and does not ensure FAPE.”

You can also cite guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, which has been very clear: chronic illness is a valid basis for IEP eligibility and accommodations. (Ask them if they’d like you to send a link.) Admittedly, the Guidance Letters and Dear Colleague letters feel like thin ice right now. However, we have not been instructed as a nation, that ANYTHING has changed as far as Section 504 or IDEA.

YES, the IEP can and should include accommodations for chronic illness. And the school saying it can’t? Not just wrong, but possibly violating IDEA. Keep pushing. You’re right. They're not.

If you want specifics on details of how to gather data, document, ask the team and respond, check out my online training. Link in signature.

Thank you for validating what I thought was logical. It’s almost the end of the school but I’m going to insist this added to IEP. Thankfully he makes up all work and teachers have been kind. His grades are pretty good considering how much he’s actually missed! He’s got a Bs and a couple As so he should not be penalized for chronic absenteeism. One of his conditions he’s had since birth and I’ve been very transparent. It is not a condition that I will take him to doctor so sometimes it’s just half days he’s missing. 
please send the link again as I didn’t see it in your reply. Thank you!