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I have 2 children in Preparing and DITHOR. My daughter (10) is VERY bright and can do independently what is required. However, my son, 9, has some special learning needs, and I am having to help him on the independent parts. For example, on the days he is supposed to do a written narration of History, he dictates it to me, and I write it for him. In DITHOR, I always have him read the chapter to me, and I alternate reading every other page to him while he reads aloud every other page.

If I try to have him do these things independently, he totally breaks down into tears and then feels "stupid", especially since he compares himself to his sister. I try to explain to him that she is a year ahead of him, and that we are all gifted in different ways.

I would love some input. I feel guilty no matter what I do.

I think you are handling your 9yo well. Is he able to keep up with the rest? If he is just having trouble with the independent work, perhaps you can gently lead him into doing a bit more over time.

He keeps up well with everything and retains and narrates well. It is the writing that throws him.

Is his grip on the pencil good? Is it just the Mechanics of writing or the putting down his thoughts?
Sometimes I let my daughter type out her narration and email it to me. This really helps as she is a lefty who wraps her thumb.
We did a bunch of hand and finger strengthening exercises which has really REALLY helped as well.
therapuddys, using The Claw on her pencil, PM me if you want a list.

I think Modifying it so he is NOT in tears is a great thing. When My daughter goes into self hatred talk: "I'm stupid, I'm a dork, I'm not fun to be with etc." (thank you ps for that series of lines), We go over who we are in Christ.
Eph 1:1, &5, Eph 2:6, 10, 18, Eph 3:12 Phil 4:13, Phil 1:6, Phil 3:20, John 1:12, John 15:15, 1cor 6: 17, 26 & 27 Rom 8:12, 28 31-34, 35-39 Hebrews 4:16

We actually made a sheet of what these verses say to us
Rom 8:31-34 I am free of condemnation.
Rom 8:35-39 I cannot be separated from the love of God.
Hebrews 4:16 I can find grace and mercy in time of need.

So when the spiraling starts I run and pull them off the fridge and we say them together. It really helps her gain perspective.