Can you explain section 504 of the rehabilitation act in simple terms ?

Please don't feel stupid, many school personnel never explain fully to parents what their rights are. I am a school psychologist and just wanted to clarify a few points after I read some answers to your questions. First, it is true that under IDEA your child may qualify for special education. However, in addition to a disability the child must also show "educational need." 504 would apply whether or not educational need can be established. Second, a psychological evaluation is typically used only to ess for two conditions: autism and emotional disturbance. The educational evaluation is what ess intellectual functioning and that is where processing speed would be evaluated. I think it would be a mistake to ask for a psychological evaluation. Just from working in the schools, if you come in asking for reasonable things then everyone is likely to be on the same page and work cooperatively to help your child. Sometimes school personnel react poorly when parents ask for things that are clearly unecessary (like a psychological evaluation) and then the relationship can become antagonistic because they feel like they are going to constantly have to fight the parents. Good luck!