The A-ha moment (challenges of a speech-delayed child)

My son was speech delayed. Not sure why-he merely didn't say a word until he was 4 years old. We went through all the testing and even started teaching him sign language so he could try to communicate.  Needless to say-he has been behind in a lot of things. Where my daughter was writing her name at 2 and doing multiplication problems by 4 yrs., he has simply been behind other kids. Since starting traditional homeschool we have finally figured out what works.
He can't do Math if it looks like this..  3+4= it has to be a vertical problem where the numbers are on top of each other (think "old school" Math the way we were taught.) Our major breakthrough> using tiles so he visibly sees what he is adding/subtracting.
Reading is another hurdle. We were way behind on the newer way of learning Phonetics because of his delay so he is now reading easy things but it is from remembering the words. Dick and Jane are our best friends!
My purpose in sharing this....if you and your child have a road block-think outside the box! Take a deep breath and think of different ways to help it click.
My son's favorite Youtube videos School House Rocks and Raffi singing the Apples and Bananas song.
-Jules