Anyone know the condition that schools define as a 504?

Section 504 is part of the federal Rehabilitation Act. It is designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in regard to programs that receive federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education. This regulation means that school districts must provide an education to each student who has been shown to have a disability. Disabilities could range from ADHD, broken leg, blindness, mental illness, basically anything that hinders the student enough that it would be determined a disability. Often, a physician’s diagnosis is necessary.

In a school district, the teacher, parent(s), administrator, and any other pertinent faculty construct the 504 plan to better able the disabled student to be successful. This plan can be altered with the agreement of involved parties. The plan is a legal document and must be followed.

The Office of Civil Rights enforces Section 504. Hope that helps.

From your question it seems that you are looking for a mental disorder that would be covered by section 504. Technically 504 only provides services for students with physical challenges, though some of those have mental or emotionally issues as well. Attention Deficit/hyperactivity might be what you are trying to think of.

504 is typically a physical disability that needs special attention in an educational setting. For example, if a student break his/her leg you would have to make accomodations for his/her day at school.

The program allows schools to provide services to children who might not otherwise be eligible for those services because they do not meet the standards to be classified as needing special education, An example would be to provide Occupational Therapy to a child with terrible handwriting who is otherwise achieving at grade level, Districts do not have to participate .