My son has NVLD also as well as dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia. Though we don't know how much is all wrapped up in the NVLD or vice versa. Way too many acronyms here. :) My only way was to try. I wish I could say differently but unfortunately, special needs, for us, seems to be synonymous with spending a lot of money. As far as spelling/reading, there seem to be two camps (I'm sure there are others and variations but generally). One is the O/G method such as Barton, Wilson, Spalding, All About Spelling, etc. and the other, well, I forgot the name, but it includes Apples and Pears Spelling, ABCDarian, etc. We tried several different O/G methods including Barton and AAS and though good, they didn't seem to work for my son. We moved to Apples and Pears and their reading program Dancing Bears and it's been wonderful. Slow, but wonderful. And best of all, he's transferring over what he's learned to his other writing. I would try one method out and if it doesn't seem to work, try the other. Both are great and both work but not for every kid. Mine just couldn't remember all of the rules with O/G. For writing, I've had a lot of success with Writing with Ease and Classical Writing. We are going to be moving into Writing with Skill and I hope it continues to work well. We tried IEW but it just wasn't a fit. Good luck and let us know if you have other questions. Oh, and at 9, I was feeling about the same as you. DS didn't start to "get" it until recently, like 15-16. So just keep chugging along. One thing I wouldn't recommend is letting her do any type of inventive spelling. It may be just my son, but once he saw it spelled the wrong way, even just once, he would keep trying it that way. It took years to break that.

We used Notgrass' America the Beautiful (the last half) last year and though we really liked the setup, we really didn't get into the lessons too much. If it had been the spine for another program, like Sonlight, we would have liked it more. It started out great but then just became something else to hurry up and get finished. We also used Sonlight Core D and really, really loved it. We skipped books we didn't like or want, such as the missionary stories, and it didn't effect the program at all. In fact, I feel it made it a little better. Sonlight can almost have too many books. We remember each and every book we read though; we just took more time with some of them and added a few others in. Good luck,

If you could decipher GA PBS for me, I'll check it out. :) Yeah, I can't go to the regular high school board too much. Even with my daughter, who doesn't have any issues, I get intimidated over there. I love the ladies, just not sure I/we need quite that path. I also love this special needs board, but wish there was a little more on the high school level. Of course, like you, I get to do this all over again (mine will be 3 in Dec. - actually I remember when you were still pregnant).

:hurray: Love that OhElizabeth!! Thank you!!

Lori D. that's great. I've always said my son is a snail and work's at that pace. I'm good with slow and steady. It's the way his brain works. I like hearing the success story though. :) I need that.

Great advice OhElizabeth. What exactly does deficiencies mean? I can't seem to find on our CC's website their actual credit requirements. It just says to submit transcripts and take the PERT or SAT/ACT. Do you know if colleges, particularly CC, would have a problem with his age on the transcript? Also, as for graduation, I meant just for him to go up during our homeschool group's graduation ceremony so he can walk with his friends. I wouldn't actually consider him graduated officially at that time but basically it would be like graduating from homeschool to dual enrollment. I really appreciate your time in writing out all that information. I don't have to like the info. ;) I just need to know it.

I was also thinking of conceptual physics. Right now the plan is physical science, biology and one of his choosing but I think he'll choose physics. I'm very glad to know I can give him credit for his work though; that makes a huge difference. Thank you,

Oh, one more question. I'm thinking I'll call his English classes throughout high school English I, English II, etc. Yet, each will compromise, for him anyway, spelling, reading, literature, vocab,, writing, etc. Do I just put that all under this one class and give one credit? And maybe list the resources?

These are all such great ideas. Thank you so much. Our local laws aren't specific on homeschool graduates; it just suggests that we follow the college prep track that public schools do. Our CC won't allow dual enrollment unless the student is college ready in reading, writing and math - naturally, the three areas that give him the most trouble. At least I can give him credit for work he's done though and not have to tell him he's doing it for nothing. You and I know it's definitely worth something but he thinks differently at 16. I'm feeling much better about the future now and I think instead of planning on graduation at 6/2016, instead we'll plan on that being his beginning of dual enrollment but yet he can still graduation with his peers in our group. It's hard seeing the big picture sometimes with learning delays. Thanks again,

Thank you Lori D. :)

You're exactly right OhElizabeth - he's sprouting and getting independent and more mature. He's really doing great. I like you're idea of making his "graduation" date be his DE date, and if he's really embarrassed with his friends and our family, we could still have his graduation but let him finish up his credits on the side. So, just to be sure, everyone is basically giving credit for "time served" during high school regardless of content? For example, I'm thinking this for math: General Math - 1 credit, Pre-Algebra - 1 credit, Algebra I - 1 credit, possibly geometry - 1 credit or do you think I should try to stick with the "public school" track of Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and one other credit? Thanks,

I don't mind a calculator, unfortunately, I don't think it would help. He has trouble conceptually with math as well as rote memorization. He finally gets things, but where it might take someone else a year, it takes him two. As he's gotten older, he's actually gotten better at it and I foresee it going faster for him each year but that only just started recently. I can't make his brain take in the info any faster or it's wasted time. I'd rather he know general math inside and out than rush through to Algebra. I'm good with him going at his level and pace so long as he's progressing. It's just his wanting to graduate June 2016 and me seeing that is next to impossible. I don't want him to give up because it's taking longer than he'd like. He already has a "Eeyore" personality. Thanks everyone.

Yeah, I know what you mean having been here a long time, but he's definitely "behind/remedial". For example, math, he's just finishing up MUS Gamma. He's 10th grade so should be in at the very least, Algebra. He has diagnosed dyscalculia though, among other things. I do expect/plan for him to make it through Algebra I before I would consider graduating him, but it will take a while for him to get there. So can I give him credit for say Basic Math as he works through Epsilon or Zeta or Pre-Algebra? He'll put in the hours, but those aren't exactly high school level. Same goes for his other subjects. I'm just not sure what I can call a credit and what I can't. For writing, can I call Writing with Ease I, II and hopefully III part of his high school english credits? See what I mean? If he wants to go to CC, he'll have to take the P.E.R.T. in order to get in. I was thinking of working backwards from there and once he can pass that, I would award him his diploma. Does that make sense?

My special needs son is behind. He'd like to graduate on time but he's not doing high school level work yet; just beginning to now. I'm not quite sure how to award credit to him. We would rather not go the route of a special needs diploma especially since given enough time, I'm sure he'd be ok. He might just have to take an extra year or two to graduate. His goal, as of now, is to either attend Community College or possibly a tech school. So, can I award high school credit for remedial work or should I wait until he's actually doing high school level work to give credit? Thanks for any advice,

My special needs son is behind. He stills wants to graduate on time though I'm trying to show him that taking an extra year or two would be fine. We would rather not give a special needs diploma if we can avoid it and I think, with time, he should be fine. He just takes longer to process everything. So, just trying to cover my bases here. Can I give credit for remedial work? Or should I wait to start awarding credit until he's actually doing full high school grade level work? His plans after high school aren't really formed yet. He's thinking Community College at this point. Thanks for any advice you might have. I'm feeling a little lost with this.

I have both. HST+ is great because of paying once and it's always there. I don't worry about the company going out of business or them losing my data, etc. I LOVE the reports section - you can create a report for nearly everything you could think of. What I don't like about it, it's clunky, not pretty, has a learning curve. Silly reasons but it's there. HS Planet I really really love. It's gorgeous, schedules well, nice calendar, they are adding more and more features (hopefully more reports). I do worry about 10 years down the road when my toddler is in school and the company is gone or if the server crashes and they lose data (rare, but I'm in the biz and it does happen). But I went ahead and bought the year subscription. :) If you want anymore specific comparisons, let me know. Good luck choosing what works for you,

If I were to purchase one instead of making my own, I'd purchase http://www.aplaninplace.net/index.html - I like the option to "customize" it a bit and I like the layout. I came VERY close to getting this and they were willing to make a few changes for me too if I wanted. Wonderful ladies. Good luck,

I have used AAS, Barton and Apples & Pears. AAS I love, but my son could not handle it at the time. Barton, we've both hated and the rules are just too much (don't hate me). Apples & Pears is what is working for us right now. The more we use it, the better it gets and the better my son gets. I'd start with the Fast Track reading or the last level - USE THE CURSOR LIKE THEY SUGGEST. The cursor/notched card has really, really made a difference for my son. He HATES using it, but it works. My son had similar reading errors of just guessing a word in context or not finishing truly reading the word so substituting something he knew. The cursor helps that immediately. If you feel they need some more phonics awareness, Literacy Leaders from EPS is good. My plan is to go back to AAS after we finish all of Apples & Pears, though I may go to Sequential Spelling instead - that's still up in the air and also depends on time. This is the first time I've seen him transfer what he's learning to his writing. As always, your mileage may vary. Good luck,

That is good to know, although I wonder if it will still be that way in 3 or 4 years when I'm ready. :)

It might just be me, but I really dislike the new format and presentation. I LOVED the old RS and was dreaming of using it with my youngest when he's ready. Now I'm not sure, unless I'll be able to get the 1st edition.

I've always "shot from hip" sort of thing; just did the next thing and didn't plan where we'd end up or be at the end of the year. It worked fine for elementary. However, as a result of that through middle school, they're now behind and needing to catch up. And, now, this year, I have some more serious chronic health issues that makes it imperative for me that I be more organized. So, I'm planning (read that as a dirty word). :) I am micro-planning most subjects but not all (I think) but I plan to remain very flexible. I'm hoping that will help keep us on track as well as catching up and also alleviate the stress for me when I'm having a bad day. My high schooler has a few issues too and this may actually help him.

I'm currently going through the same exact planning stage. I have an 8th grade dd and a 10th grade special needs ds. Neither have had a planner before and have only been given a daily list of what to do and usually have had me completely involved with that as well. This year each will have their own planner and I'll have a master planner. I plan on doing exactly what coffeegal does with hers. Regardless of the age, I think if they are not used to the steps involved, they need to be explicitly taught. Older kids, probably can catch on much quicker - at least I hope. ;) All that to say, I plan to sit down and teach them how to use it and then over time, give them more and more control over it. Good luck,

Anything like this: http://donnayoung.org/forms/planners/checklist.htm ?

Have you heard of this one? http://www.classicalhistorian.com/ It piqued my interest and it's on HSBC now also. Just a thought.... Good luck,

I copy the dvd to my computer using dvdshrink. Then I use handbrake to convert it to MP4 file that the iPad can use. On Epsilon though, I had to do it lesson by lesson, file by file. A little time consuming but it works beautifully. Gamma and Delta worked fine and did each chapter separately. Not sure why Epsilon was different, though it is the very latest version, so maybe that's why. Good luck,