RESEARCH    

 Even the word carries the eminent dread of time, scouring through pages of data only to get redirected a hundred times and still not find what you need or if it is even credible!!  This class is quite necessary for me personally because quite simply, I need to know what the heck I’m talking about as a professional and currently I don’t have enough knowledge or experience to be credible. Also, even if I did, staying up to date on current issues is critical because things are changing so quickly especially with regards to early childhood education. The resource, “A practical guide to reading research articles” has already helped tremendously as well as knowing the principles for high quality research, how to critically analyze information, and use certain criteria and tools to evaluate electronic resources. Now I am not as apprehensive and even look forward to gathering the information I need.  

There is NOTHING wrong with My Child!

The topic I’ve chosen for the simulation process revolves around the detection, diagnosis, and treatment/services for children with special needs and varying exceptionalities.  As everyone knows, this is my passion and at the heart of my business because of my own personal experiences with my son who was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and Autism at age 2 and Sensory Integration Dysfunction by age 4. I believe early intervention is the key to helping these children develop, as much as they are able, into happy, healthy, independent adults. The first step is detection, which is an area that requires observation, honesty and action on the part of the parents and unfortunately, many either deny any possibilities that something may be amiss or don’t know where to go to get help obtaining a proper diagnosis for their child.  I believe when a parent or caregiver Denies the existence of a need in their child, they have become the greatest Barrier to that child achieving their fullest potential.

In order for me to truly help the children and families I will work with, I need to have accurate knowledge and resources available. Even though the thought of research is intimidating to me, learning how to properly research, deciphering what is and isn’t relevant through the guides and charts we have already begun to use saves times and energy. Also, by actually using a topic that is of great interest and relevance to me allows me to begin collecting the information that I need and can use!

To my classmates and colleagues I would ask that you share any new information and credible resources as I will do the same!

Lepuschitz, J.K. (2011). A practical guide to reading research articles. Laureate Education Inc., Baltimore, MD.

Mac Naughton, G., Rolfe, S.A., & Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). Doing early childhood research: International perspectives on theory and practice (2nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.