As a special needs mama and formerly SLP working with kiddos with special needs, I would not recommend continuing lessons that take hours to complete. I don't think it's good for either one of you. I would let go of the thought that they are both supposed to be at the same grade/level. I would look at what they have each mastered and the next steps for each of them. I would try to find some things that your son with special needs is skilled in. Give him some independent work to review those things and then use those nuggets of time to work with your other son. When you introduce new material to your son with special needs, I would recommend taking very small increments of new information. Let him master those before moving on. I would also really focus on foundational skills that he can use through life no matter what path he takes. Big hugs! I've so often wished that there was an open and go curriculum for our kiddos with special needs, but it just requires so much on our parts...yet it's totally worth it in the end! Hang in there! Jenn

Shameless plug...if you are looking for young resources, or resources for children with special needs, I have a relatively new store. https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Teach-Speech-Coffee-With-The-Therapy-Mama Thanks! Jenn

Hahaha! Thanks! No, just little money so it was easy to do! But it is really nice to be told I rock at something! :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: Jenn

I finished mine last night...so glad to get it done! Jenn

I'm a single mama homeschooling my two daughters that I adopted. I often forget that we are technically at the poverty level-but somehow make do. I have been fortunate to receive some support through HSLDA/homeschooler's foundation (they have widows, single parents, special needs grants, etc.) I've personally used some fund from ARC for my daughter with special needs for school supplies. I know that the foundation accepts help so that they can help others. There is a also a Facebook group/non-profit group-Homeschool Curriculum Free for Shipping. You can post materials there that others can request and they also have Amazon wish lists that people have created that you can choose to help. I'm sure that any way you choose to help will be greatly appreciated! Jennifer

I had lots of Daniel Tiger song running through my head when I read that thread. "You gotta try new things cause they might taste good!" "Close your eyes and think of something happy." "Think about what you're gonna do and pick the clothes that are right for you." We love Daniel here!

I don't know that this is the case for you, but I have heard of many people who have toenail fungus that ends up clearing up when they target their gut health through a very strong and effective probiotic. I do use Plexus and initially began it because I had fungus type rashes on other parts of my body. It has cleared it up for me. Just something to consider.

I do and I love it! I haven't lost much weight, but the slim and probiotic have done wonders to help my gut and control my blood sugar.

I guess I technically still sell it, though I haven't sold any in months. I really like it...but I can't afford it. Some of my friend's have done amazing with it, they have lost weight (though inches seem to come off first, then pounds), gotten off medications and have improved their overall health immensely. Like I said, I do like it...it helps even out my blood sugar and I lost inches. I like the pain relief pills and lotion-works so well. I just don't seem to be a pushy enough salesperson to make enough to afford it.

My daughter with Down Syndrome is still really struggling with math. We are switching to Touch Math this year. I love the way that the numbers are the manipulatives. We will see if it sticks.

Thanks for sharing! We use You Tube all the time!!

I can totally relate! I'm a single mama, through adoption and have two girl's with some special needs. I homeschool because I feel like it's the best for my children. I am constantly reminded that we could have more/bigger/better "things" if I was working. But you know what, this is my choice and I don't think I will ever regret the time with my daughter's over things. I try to pick stuff up for cheap at yard sales/thrift stores, etc. and if I can't use it, I sell it to buy things that I can use. God has always provided. Big hugs to you...it's hard, but totally worth it!

I have been so bad about picking up stuff at thrift stores, sales, etc. I am taking over $800 of stuff to a homeschool consignment sale this morning! Feels so good to clear out. But there's still more I could have taken! I'm an educational hoarder!

I'm so sorry she treated you that way. Big hugs!

Where do you find the best prices for books on audio? Thanks!

I loved Child Genius and was so thrilled for Vanya at the Spelling Bee! I started looking up memory palaces online-there's a wiki on how to do it. I think it also depends on how you learn. I learn through doing, often writing. During college and grad school, I would write information a couple times and it would help me commit it to memory. Experiment with different ways-sketching, doodling, writing, listening and find what works best for you.

Thanks everyone! Does anyone have a favorite program for Spanish. She wants to learn Spanish!

I'm really used to being on the other side of the spectrum and looking at special needs resources, so I thought I would ask for advice. I have a dd, who just turned four this week. I adopted her (as I did my other daughter) and kind of expected slower development due to her drug/alcohol exposure and micro premie status...but man, she is flying academically. She took off with language this year. She just turned 4 this week. She knows basics-colors, numbers (up to around 100), alphabet/phonics-she's just beginning to read, writing is still tough and she's worked hard on cutting. She memorizes things so easily-she showed an interest in a state app and has almost finished memorizing the states and capitals in the last few weeks. She's asking for schoolwork and honestly, if I don't keep her busy-she gets into a lot of trouble! :-) I thought I might start her with some basic writing, reading and use some memory work from Classical conversations...but I'm not sure. She loves the "Little House" picture book series. We use Signing Time, Rachel and the Treeschoolers, Sid the Science kid and educational dvd's and apps as well. Any thoughts, tips for keeping her engaged? Thanks! Jennifer

This week I found a new program online called "Gemiini". Here is the link: https://gemiini.org/ It is a subscription based program with videos (over 12,000) for children with autism or special needs to help with speech and language. It is research based (repetition, working memory, novel events, etc.) and so far my daughter loves it. It's hard to explain without watching one, but I would check it out. They have a $1 monthly trial to test it out. Jenn

I'll echo the recommendation for Hanna Andersson, though I get all of ours second hand on ebay or in thrift stores. My daughter wears long sleeved/long pants cotton pj's when we're at home (year round). I asked her OT about it and she said that for some kids it's like another skin. They can feel where the cuff on the arms and legs is, so it gives them more body awareness as to where the body ends or begins.

I don't think so. I think that there are plenty of resources in place for those that don't want to do anything, but for those who are struggling, but attempting to do any work that they can, they are penalized by not qualifying for any assistance.

It is mind blowing!! Would not want to repeat those days for anything!

I tend to think that there is some genetic predisposition to it. My mother was a hoarder (of course, we didn't know that there was a name/diagnosis for it 20 years ago). While she could make up reasons why she "needed" all the stuff, it all seemed to be rooted in the fact that she had suffered so much loss in her life and she was afraid that she wouldn't be able to get more of things, if she needed it. Though my brother and I are not hoarders, I know that we both have areas where we fight the exact same emotions. It's. a weird thing, but I do have to ask myself whether I'm keeping things based on need or on fear that I won't be able to get them again. Jennifer

I am so sorry. :grouphug:

This is so cool! I want to enter next year...I love making stuff like that! Thanks for sharing!