Those of you who know me know that I am a die hard HOD fan. We never question what we will use. In fact as some of my children go beyond the "target age" we still use HOD because hands down even with beefing it up it is the best fit and the absolute best for our family. I have long known that one of my children has cerebral palsy. That is an easy one very clear cut once you go through what you need to to get a diagnosis. But now we find our very bright son who really has no issues with academics what-so-ever has manifested something we did not know was there. We are getting a "label", diagnosis of possibly bipolar. Regardless of whether this sticks or not is not the issue. I now find that what I thought was good training to help him "cope" with change and flexibility was not "good" for him. I started this year of school late because we ended the other late. I made a decision to start with the things we always missed and then roll with HOD since we know it works. We were having issues with our son and that decision was one I thought would be good for him. It turned out to be a bad one and one that ultimately was I think the straw that broke the camels back for him. I tell you this because in this what I realize is beyond our love for HOD we need HOD. HOD's programs work in a predictable pattern. Things progress in a pattern. They increase in level and difficulty in a pattern. It's predictable for a kid who needs structure and I had no idea how much my son held onto that until this year. As I now meet with several counselors and psychologist the issue of how does is school work has been addressed over and over. Some of this questioning by those who agree with homeschooling and some by those who especially for a child with an "issue" or "special needs" favor schooling by "trained professionals". But when I tell them and show them how HOD works not one has said anything other than praises. Even those who question homeschooling have advised us not to change a thing but rather to get started back with HOD as soon as possible because that is exactly what he needs. We have apparently in HOD exactly what they would recommend in terms of order and predictability that a kid like my son needs. And unfortunately when I tell them what I did this year sort of starting with the wild cards that "never get done" they all agree that was a "trigger" for him. They also agree that my son in particular needs a challenge, he needs something engaging because he is really smart (I can say that because we adopted him and it is not my DNA that made him this way
). So in essence I have to make many changes in my home and the way I deal with my son to help him but what an incredible blessing it is that I have to make no changes in our school, none. It is absolutely perfect, it is enough and it will challenge him yet not overload him with confusion he does not need. This is huge because our goal is to help him cope with his differences without medication if possible. Who knows what the future will bring and if we find medication is necessary for him then we will walk down that path but it is great to know that what we love, what has blessed us, gives us the best chance to accomplish this goal. God had led us where we needed to be for all our children even before He showed us all the reasons why. I personally thought the way it blessed us was enough but He had more for us down the road.So I just want to encourage people who have smart children who need to be challenged but still need structure there is nothing better than HOD. Nothing. I have never been more thankful for HOD than I am now. I have six children using HOD. I literally have just about all ranges in capability and intelligence going on with my children, from those that skipped years to those that were held back years. All are using HOD and it is perfect for all of them. And truly all of them have stories about how HOD has really helped them to grow spiritually in their walk with the Lord. Never will I question, never will I change. This is where God blesses us and I just share this in case someone is struggling with a decision because they have "special" kids. Hopefully this ramble will help someone decide. I apologize for it being sort of all over the place. I am severely lacking in sleep and sort of running on prayer these days but just wanted to share this in case it helps someone.
One of which is sharing school time with sister.. eep! 
If the academics come slow, so be it. I know she is really taking in the Bible, and that is most important. So, I'm die hard HOD as well, and this post concerning children with special needs is exactly what I needed to hear.
And I just want to say bless you for adopting more children with special needs! My heart has been broken thinking what would have happened to my son and my daughter in an orphanage with these issues.