ZOOM MEETING WITH OUR FRIENDS!
On the Third Thursday of every month at 2pm, we will have a zoom parent meeting. Just click the link below to join the meeting.
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/7648025911
For those of you who don’t have access to a computer or smart phone just call 1.312.626.6799
When prompted enter the Meeting ID: 764 802 5911# then listen for the instructions.
WE CANT WAIT TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL!!!!
JCCOA Jefferson Center Modified Schedules
The JCCOA Jefferson Center is happy to announce that we are OPENED with modified in person schedules and online activities. Please check out our Activity Schedule to see what we have planned! If you are interested in zoom meetings please contact Haley Laird at 304.728.1076 for assitance.
Inclement Weather
Inclement Weather
In the event of inclement weather, JCCOA Jefferson Center will operate under the Jefferson County School System for closings and delays due to winter road conditions. This does not include any other closings of delays, only those delay that are caused by hazardous driving conditions due to winter precipitation.
If Jefferson County Schools are operating on a one or two hour delay due to winter road conditions, JCCOA Jefferson Center will be operating on the same delay.
If Jefferson County Schools are under early dismissal or closed due to winter road conditions, JCCOA Jefferson Center will do the same.
If your transportation services are provided through JCCOA, you will need to make different transportation arrangements for days with delays and early dismals. The JCCOA will not pick up clients on a one/two hour delay but will drop them off in the afternoon. On days of early dismissal due to winter road conditions guardians are responsible for picking up clients. If your transportation services are provided through JCCOA, you will need to pick up the client at the JCCOA Jefferson Center.
If the JCCOA Jefferson Center will be operation on a delayed schedule or closed, the voice message on 304.728.1076 will be updated to include this information. For early dismissal guardians will be notified by phone to pick up the client. You can also listen to your local news/radio station to learn of delays and closures for Jefferson County Schools.
Please be sure to be proactive during this time of year, if they are calling for a storm and you use JCCOA transportation services please be sure you can make arrangement for early pick up in case of early dismissal.
Closures outside of the Jefferson County School year
In case of a closure outside of the Jefferson County School year due to weather/power outage, the JCCOA Jefferson Center voice message on 304.728.1076 will be updated to include this information. When possible guardians will also receive a phone call to inform them of closures when outside of the Jefferson County School year.
Thank You,
Haley Laird
JCCOA Jefferson Center Director
304.728.1076
JUST A REMINDER******
WHEN JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED OR DELAYED DUE TO COLD WEATHER ONLY, JCCOA JEFFERSON CENTER WILL OPERATE UNDER ITS NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS(9AM-3PM).
Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders with symptoms presenting in early childhood and persisting throughout the lifespan. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5 ASDs are characterized by “repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities,” and “persistent deficits in social communication and interaction.”
Symptoms of ASD are categorized by severity in 3 levels ranging from Level 1- requiring support to Level 3- requiring very substantial support. In the past diagnoses of Asperger Syndrome, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified were considered separate disorders, however these diagnoses are now classified as Autism Spectrum Disorders.
ASD is also commonly diagnosed in conjunction with other disorders or illnesses including but not limited to: ADD, ADHD, anxiety, bi-polar, seizure disorder, sensory processing problems, OCD, depression, and intellectual disability.
Treatment for ASD comes in many forms and is most commonly tailored for each individual and may include medication and engagement in social services as well as behavioral and cognitive training and supports.
It is important to remember that no two people with ASD are alike and that symptoms vary across individuals. ASD is a lifelong diagnosis for which there is no cure. However, with treatment and training some symptoms may lessen. Depending on the severity of symptoms, and with the appropriate supports and treatments in place, individuals with ASD can live independently and work in the community. For more information, see the references section below.
References:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd/index.shtml#part_145441
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conditions_comorbid_to_autism_spectrum_disorders
Seizure Awareness
According to the Mayo Clinic, approximately 10% of people may experience an unprovoked seizure in their lifetime. Just one seizure alone does not indicate epilepsy or seizure disorder; however, 1 in 26 people in the US will develop a seizure disorder. About 80% of those individuals can manage their symptoms with medicine, but there is no known cure for seizure disorder. As you can see, seizures and seizure disorder are not rare, so what exactly is a seizure? Though there are many types and classifications of seizures, they are characterized by sudden excessive and abnormal brain activity affecting how a person may appear or behave for a short period of time.
Types of Seizures:
Generalized:
- Absence seizures. Also known as petit mal seizures, absence seizures are characterized by staring into space and subtle body movements like eye blinking. They may occur in clusters and cause a brief loss of awareness.
- Tonic seizures. These seizures are characterized by a stiffening of the muscles and often times result in a fall to the ground.
- Atonic seizures. Similar to tonic seizures, atonic seizures cause a loss of muscle control and may cause you to drop to the ground, hence, their characterization as a “drop” seizure.
- Clonic seizures. These seizures are associated with repeated, rhythmic, and jerking muscle movements.
- Myoclonic seizures. Similar to clonic seizures, these seizures appear as sudden, brief jerks of the arms and/or legs.
- Tonic-clonic seizures. Also known as grand mal seizures, can cause loss of consciousness and are characterized by body stiffening and shaking. These are often the scary to witness.
Focal:
- Simple partial seizures. These seizures may alter a person’s emotions and/or perceptions and may result in involuntary jerking and spontaneous sensory symptoms.
- Complex partial seizures. Individuals experiencing this form of seizure will often lose consciousness or awareness, will not respond normally to their environment, and may perform repetitive movements such as hand rubbing, chewing, swallowing, or walking in circles.
Febrile:
- Febrile seizures. These seizures are most commonly experience by infants and children and are triggered by infection and high fever.
First Aid Tips and Seizure Facts
- You can NOT swallow you tongue during a seizure, so NEVER put something in the mouth of an individual experiencing seizure activity.
- Make the individual experiencing the seizure comfortable and help them to the ground if possible, but NEVER restrain them or attempt to hold them down.
- Call 911 for prolonged seizure activity in those diagnosed with seizure disorder or epilepsy or immediately in individuals who have never experienced seizures.
- Most individuals with seizure disorder can do the same things that people without seizure disorder can do; however, those with more severe symptoms or with frequent seizure activity may be restricted from working or driving and may also experience other problems in day to day life.
*All information was collected from the following sites:
www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/epilepsy/home/ovc-20117206
www.webmd.com/epilepsy/understanding-seizures-basics