Research and Articles
Research & Articles: Indentifying Special
Needs
Gretchen May
Extension Educator 4-H Youth and Family Development
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Cooperative Extension
Early identification of special needs is a key to a child's successful development.
If special needs are not identified early, children may go through years of
failure. This failure can create a poor self-concept, which may compound the
disability.
Special needs are often identified when young children participate in day care
programs. Caregivers may be the first to detect a speech, visual, or hearing
problem or to note a cognitive, emotional, or physical handicap.
To identify special needs, you need to understand normal development. When
a problem is suspected, observe the child closely. Informal observation may
be used to assess a child's needs. Be sure to note these observations on cards
or paper. When recording observations, mention signs of behaviors that suggest
a special need. Any unusual social, cognitive, emotional, or physical development
could signal a possible special need.
STUTTERING
Stuttering in young children is often characterized by repetition, hesitation,
and prolongation. Few young children stutter all the time. They usually
only stutter under certain conditions.
In the early stages of language development, many children experience stuttering.
This often happens when they feel pressured. Children function best in a warm,
noncritical learning place. This type of environment helps all children speak
with confidence.
If you have a stuttering child in your care, focus on creating good speaking
conditions:
- Plan activities so all children will experience success.
- Provide the child with enough time to say what he or she has
to say.
- Listen closely to what the child is saying, as opposed to focusing
on the stuttering.
- Avoid rushing a child through a task.
Unfortunately, many well-meaning people try to provide directions to a
stuttering child. "Stop and think," "Start over," and "Speak
slower" are common examples. These suggestions often make the child
feel even more fearful. A child's difficulty could continue as a result
of this fear. An environment free of pressure is important.
DOCUMENT USE/COPYRIGHT
National Network
for Child Care - NNCC. Part of CYFERNET,
the National Extension Service Children Youth and Family Educational
Research Network. Permission is granted to reproduce these materials
in whole or in part for educational purposes only (not for profit
beyond the cost of reproduction) provided that the author and
Network receive acknowledgment and this notice is included:
Reprinted with permission from the National Network for Child Care -
NNCC. (1993). Identifying special needs. In M. Lopes (Ed.) CareGiver
News (July, p.3). Amherst, MA: University of Massachusetts Cooperative
Extension.
Any additions or changes to these materials must be preapproved by the
author.
COPYRIGHT PERMISSION ACCESS
Gretchen May
Draper Hall
Univeristy of Massachusetts
40 Campus Center Way
Amherst, MA 01003-9244
VOICE: 413-577-0332
FAX: 413-545-1002
E-MAIL: gmay@umext.umass.edu
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