---
title: The difference between supports and services in school
description: If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, you may have heard the phrase “services and supports.” Learn the differences between services and supports and how they help students.
slug: the-difference-between-services-and-supports-for-kids-with-learning-and-thinking-differences
author: Amanda Morin
reviewer: Andrea M. Spencer, PhD
published: '2019-10-16T12:20:11.497Z'
source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-difference-between-services-and-supports-for-kids-with-learning-and-thinking-differences
lang: en
---

# The difference between supports and services in school

If you have a child with learning and thinking differences, you’ve probably heard the phrase “services and supports.” Both of these enable your child get help in the classroom. And they’re both covered in [IEPs](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understanding-individualized-education-programs), [504 plans](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-a-504-plan), and [response to intervention](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understanding-response-to-intervention) (RTI).

But while the terms *services *and *supports *may be used interchangeably and your child may receive both, they actually mean different things. Here are the key differences.

|   | **Supports** | **Services** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **What they are** | Changes to *how* and *what* students learn, aimed at helping them succeed in school. That might mean making progress or staying on the same learning level as their peers. | Help in specific areas such as speech or motor skills. Often called *related services* or *direct services*. Services provide the extra help kids need to benefit from general or special education. |
| **How kids get them** | Different types of supports can be provided through IEPs, 504 plans and RTI. | Different types of services can be provided through IEPs, 504 plans and RTI. |
| **What they cover** | **In an IEP: **Specialized instruction (the unique special education instruction kids need to meet their IEP goals), accommodations, and modifications.  **In a 504 plan: **Accommodations and modifications.  **In RTI: **Additional instruction in the general education classroom. (*Not *special education.) | **In an IEP: **Related services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, or supplementary aids, like assistive technology (AT). Can also be special training of staff members who work with a student.  **In a 504 plan: **Can be related services, but is more likely to be supplementary aids like AT.  **In RTI: **Small group instruction or one-on-one help. |
| **Specific examples** | **Examples of changes in scheduling:**  **• **Extra time for work or tests  **• **Breaks throughout the day  **Examples of changes in setting:**  **• **Small group work  **• **Quieter space  **Examples of changes in materials:**  **• **Fewer problems to do on a page  **• **Class notes provided  **• **Recorded lectures and audiobooks  **Examples of changes in instruction:**  **• **One-on-one teaching and tutoring  **• **Change in the difficulty or reading level of assignments  **Examples of changes in how a student shows knowledge:**  **• **Doing hands-on demonstrations  **• **Dictating answers  **• **Typing instead of writing | **Examples of related services:**  **• **Speech-language therapy  **• **Occupational and physical therapy  **• **Counseling  **• **Adaptive physical education (accommodations for gym class)  **• **Early identification and screening  **• **School health services  **• **Social work  **Examples of supplementary aids and services:**  **• **Assistive technology, such as text-to-speech software  **• **Adapted materials, such as audiobooks  **• **Adaptive tools, such as slant boards |

If you’re just getting started with services and supports, learn more about [your rights in the IEP process](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-are-your-rights-in-the-iep-process). Understand the [differences between IEPs and 504 plans](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-difference-between-ieps-and-504-plans). And if you’re seeking special education for your child, find out [how the process works](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/iep-roadmap-how-to-seek-out-special-education-services-for-your-child).

---

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