Benefits of Previous Research

  Today I can say that I am thankful for the multitude of research that has been done on childhood stuttering. My youngest child that just turned 4 in July, has picked up a habit of stuttering. From research that has been conducted on the subject, I have learned that not all childhood stutterers bring the habit over into adulthood......in fact that most times outgrow it. Newer research conducted has taught me that my child's stuttering does not come from emotional problems, which older studies suggested. Although stuttering within itself can cause emotional problems within children. I have benefited from this research because results have demonstrated that I do not need to bring attention to his stuttering as some family members have suggested. Many are quick to say 'slow down' or 'start over' to a stutterer; but according to research performed, bringing attention to the fact that the child is stuttering, is the last thing that needs to be done.
   I had a fear  that my child may continue to stutter because of family members who stutter also. Hereditary factors were revealed to have some effect on stutterers, but genetic transmission has yet to be proved. Finally, research has made me as a parent and teacher more confident in working with a stuttering child because of suggestions that have been proven to help the child. A few of these suggestions are as follows:

- Call little attention to the fact that the child stutters
- Try to ensure that atmospheres are cool, calm, and collective so that the child doesn't feel stressed
- Encourage more conversation
- Do not react emotionally to stuttering (Meaning don't show embarrassment,impatience, or anxiety)
- and being aware of my own speech and speaking slowly will encourage the stuttering child to slow     down as well.

                                                                             References
Mazzuca-Peter, J. (1989). The Student Who Stutters- Teacher's Guide. Retrieved from https://www.mnsu.edu/comdis/kuster/InfoPWDS/studentwhostutters.html

Introduction to Research Topic

The subject that I have chosen to focus on for the research component of this class is "Managing Autism in Early Childhood Settings". The three subtopics that I have chosen are:

• Behavior Techniques that Work in Young Children with Autism
• Appropriate Developmental Strategies for Working with Autistic Children in Various Settings/Learning Areas
• Working with Families of the Young Autistic Child

Professionally I chose this subject because it is one that seems to be on the rise within the early childhood atmosphere. So in other words, it's very relevant. Personally, I chose this field because as a teacher it's very hard sometimes to find out what it is that most children with autism require. We have no special training for autism, so it's almost like a game of finding out which 'answer sticks or works' for each particular child. Most children with special needs are required to spend most of their days in a regular education classroom. So generally, there is no way around either being trained professionally, or conducting our own research to help ourselves in the classroom as well as the autistic child! As my picture at the top shows......It's all about fitting the pieces of the puzzle to the appropriate spaces. With this research, hopefully I will be able to do that within the classroom! :)