And I'm frustrated. And feel like a failure.
He's come sooo far, but now we're stuck, and I dont know how to fix it.
He's currently doing Bigger (8 1/2 years old, 3rd grader). We've been doing it for a while, and he struggles so much. I've had to eliminate things-- poetry, timeline, and the scripture memorization. It was overwhelming him. Oh, and I had to eliminate cursive too. He just isn't ready for cursive, so instead we just practice his nname in cursive. Over and over and over-- and he still doesn't get it.
He's doing GREAT in history, science, art and he's doing so muh better on the reading, but he's barely able to add and subtract double digits and barely single digits. He cant keep up in math. I do the activities, they don't seem to reach him. He's very visual, right brained, but nothing seems to be working. And here in Texas, 3rd grade is when they're supposed to be learning multiplication. But that concept is totally out of reach (and hubby is really wanting him to be on track on multiplication too).
And the English/grammar/spelling/vocabulary... Oh, I just wanna scream today. His book keeps disappearing. Today, I announed that he was going to lose every toy in his room until it re-appears. Suddenly, he "found" the book mysteriously in the bathroom cabinet. Hmmm... wonder how it got there? But that's actually not the point-- he cries every day when it's time to do any english, writing, grammar. sentences, spelling, or vocab. He knows the work, but putting it on paper seems to be pure torture for him.
The fact is, I don't mind helping him, reading to him, etc... BUT he HAS to be able to do some of this, right???? He's CAPABLE of this. He's smart. Very smart. He has problems that make things difficult, but he's very smart.
And I'm refusing to allow attitudes, manipulation etc over this. I've sent him to his room when he decides to get an attitude. (the worse thing you can do. LOL)
So do I switch programs? Do I eliminate more? Do I just go run and hide in the closet???
Please don't bash me. I really love HOD. But I need to find a solution, and I'd appreciate any help ya'll can offer either with or without HOD.
Thanks
My son is 9.5 doing Bigger and he has some problems so don't beat yourself up over your son. If most of the program is giving him such a hard time you might consider going back to Beyond. It might be just the thing to get him ready for Bigger. Remember that Bigger is recommend for ages 7 to 9 to it wouldn't be a problem at all doing Bigger next year. If you haven't already be sure to check out the place your child chart here 
). You will get through this, and the light will come on. How soon it happens and how difficult it is, is something we cannot know. Pray and seek God for wisdom. Ask Him if there is something else you should be doing with him, or if you should just gently press on, not expecting results, not demanding X amount of progress. Be faithful to do your part, expecting your son to do his, and let the outcome fall into God's hands. I know that sounds nice, but I am preaching to myself at the same time. 
Teaching special needs kids, especially your kid, is very hard. It is frustrating and they get attitude problems. But you know we would not give it up and there are parts we love too and I know the same is true for you too. 
My son is extremely bright, but he flat out is not capable of all the written work involved. This is the first year that we have not done the bulk of LA orally. We also use white boards, colored pencils, sidewalk chalk (not kidding---he used to do his spelling words in chalk on the back patio), writing with his finger on the desk until he got the concept and then putting it on paper. Handwriting Without Tears was an absolute Godsend. He finally mastered print last year, and we have started cursive this year. It's going well.