69ý

Opinion
Education Letter to the Editor

Cause for Optimism in Stuttering Research

March 29, 2011 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print
Email Copy URL

To the Editor:

We applaud Education Week’s article “Scholars Say Causes of Stuttering Are Multiple and Interconnected” (March 2, 2011). However, none of the experts quoted mentioned the exciting research on plasticity of the brain and how this relates to the prevention of stuttering in very young children.

Dr. Christy Ludlow in the Journal of Fluency Disorders discusses refinement of the neural processes essential for the development of normal speech. Some synaptic connections are enhanced through use; others are lost through inactivity. Early intervention through speech therapy facilitates the development of normal speech.

In families such as mine where there is a strong genetic predisposition, not a single family member stutters today, some four generations after both my father and uncle struggled with severe stuttering. Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren received early and effective treatment—a valid reason to be optimistic.

Jane Fraser

President

Stuttering Foundation of America

Memphis, Tenn.

A version of this article appeared in the March 30, 2011 edition of Education Week as Cause for Optimism in Stuttering Research

Events

School & District Management Webinar Crafting Outcomes-Based Contracts That Work for Everyone
Discover the power of outcomes-based contracts and how they can drive student achievement.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
School & District Management Webinar
Harnessing AI to Address Chronic Absenteeism in 69ý
Learn how AI can help your district improve student attendance and boost academic outcomes.
Content provided by 
School & District Management Webinar EdMarketer Quick Hit: What’s Trending among K-12 Leaders?
What issues are keeping K-12 leaders up at night? Join us for EdMarketer Quick Hit: What’s Trending among K-12 Leaders?

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.

Read Next

Education Briefly Stated: October 2, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read
Education Briefly Stated: September 18, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
9 min read
Education Briefly Stated: August 28, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
9 min read
Education Briefly Stated: August 21, 2024
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
9 min read