Pseudo-stuttering

For kids who outgrow stuttering, the normal stage of speech development is know as pseudo-stuttering. Characterized by brief repetitions of sounds, syllables or short words, It's a common speech irregularity that comes and goes. However it is most noticeable when the child is excited, stressed or overly tired.

I can still remember my 2nd grade classmate, she used to stutter at that time but when we were already 4rth grade, i noticed that she no longer stutters. Children who stutter regularly are more likely to notice it and will tend to be more anxious and embarrassed about it.

Here are some tips that would help you and your kids.

1. Talk to your child. Read books together. Encourage conversations during family meals.

2. Do not require your child to speak correctly at all times. Allow talking to be fun and enjoyable.

3. Avoid having your child speak or read aloud when he is uncomfortable, or when you notice the stuttering increases. Encourage instead activities that do not require a lot of talking.

4. Avoid corrections or criticisms such a "slow down" or take a deep breath. They only make your child feel more self-conscious. You should also ask others not to correct him.

5. Do not tell your child to start over or to think before speaking.

6. Minimize the stress or situations that will make the stuttering worse.

7. Maintain natural eye contact with your child. Try not to look away or show signs of being upset.

8. Let your child speak for himself and allow him to finish his sentences.

9. Speak slowly and clearly. Modeling a slow rate will help your child's fluency.

If pseudo-stuttering persists for more than two months. or is making the child anxious, then he may benefit from speech evaluation and therapy.. Kids with true stuttering should consult a speech .pathologist.

Diabetic: Know the glycemic index of the food you eat (blood sugar)

Many still thinks that table sugar or anything with it, for example soft drinks is the worst kind of food for diabetic person. There are, however others as bad or worse than table sugar. I was surprised when the doctor of my uncle (who is diagnose with diabetes) said that watermelon is one such example watermelon is my favorite fruit I'm glad that I don't have diabetes, I can eat all watermelon I like.

The doctor also said that what is important is to adjust the diet of a diabetic person to mange the weight because there is a close relationship between the incidence of diabetes and greater body weight. The doctor also said that diabetic people has to look closely at the glycemic index (GI) of the carbohydrates in the food they eat. It is important for people who are diabetic, to keep the blood sugar under control. The glycemic index of food in each 50g of carbohydrates is a measure of the food's ability to elevate blood sugar in the two or three hours after eating. Some are broken down more quickly in the intestine than the others, causing the blood sugar level to rise rapidly, and sometimes to dangerous levels. These carbohydrates have a high GI. Carbohydrates that are low in GI enter the bloodstream slowly and are the preferred type. They provide sustained energy and help maintain stable blood sugar levels. However he also said that do not eat this food too much, too much of anything is unhealthy. Eating an excess low GI food could cause an increase in body weight. Also stick to a low fat diet and exercise regularly.

Below are list of foods categorized according to glycemic index (GI):

Foods High in GI

white rice
raisins
white bread
watermelon
honey
cheerios
cornflakes
cooked carrots
cane maple and corn syrup
baked potato
glucose

Foods with Moderate GI

whole wheat bread
apple juices
bananas
sweet potato
brown rice
corn
popcorn
grapes
oatmeal
spaghetti/noodles
orange and orange juices

Foods with Low GI

barley
grapefruit
kidney beans
lentils
green peas
milk and milk products
pears
yogurt
plums
figs
peanuts
peaches
apples