C o u n s e l i n g , C a r e e r, & D i s a b i l i t y S e r v i c e s N e w s l e t t e r
May 2010
Raider Wise Counsel
What is Autism?
In this Issue
What is Autism?
1
Did You Know?
1
Autism Checklist
2
Special Counseling
Activities in April &
May
3
Contact Information
4
Quote
2
Did You Know?
Roane County Counseling,
Career, and Disability
Services office has
relocated to D-103.
The Oak Ridge Counseling,
Career, and Disability
Services office is still
located in B-102.
Autism is a neurobiological disorder that
typically appears during the first three years of life. Autism
impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social
interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with
autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal
communication, social interactions and leisure or play activities.
Autism knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries. Family
income, lifestyle, and educational levels do not affect the chance of
autism’s occurrence. Autism is four times more likely to occur in
boys than in girls. Autism is a spectrum disorder that affects
individuals differently and to varying degrees of severity. The three
most common Autism Spectrum Disorders: Classic Autism,
Asperger’s Syndrome/High Functioning Autism, and PDD-NOS
(Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is more common than childhood
cancer, cystic fibrosis, and multiple sclerosis combined. It is
estimated that one out of 150 people born today will have some
form of autism.
http:www.asaetc.org/Whatisautism.html
Page 2
Autism Checklist
Individuals with autism usually exhibit at least half of the traits
listed below. These behaviors occur in varying combinations of
degree and severity.
Quote
The best years of
your life are the
ones in which you
decide your
problems are your
own. You do not
blame them on
your mother, the
ecology, or the
president. You
realize that you
control your own
destiny.
—Albert Ellis
Insistence on sameness; has trouble with changes in routine
Severe language deficits
Difficulty in expressing needs; uses gestures or pointing instead
of words
Echolalia (repeating words or phrases in place of normal,
responsive language
Laughing, crying or showing distress for reasons not apparent to
others
Prefers to be alone; aloof manner
Tantrums-displays stress for no apparent reason
Difficulty relating to others
May not want cuddling or act cuddly
Little or no eye contact
Unresponsive to normal teaching methods
Talks about or shows interest in a restricted range of topics
Spins objects or self
Inappropriate attachment to objects
Apparent oversensitivity or undersensitivity to pain
No real fear of danger
Noticeable physical over activity or extreme under activity
Appear to be unaware of when people talk to them but respond
to other sounds
Uneven gross/fine motor skills (may not kick, but can stack
blocks)
Http://www.asaetc.org/Whatisautism.html
Page 3
Special Counseling Activities in April and May
Hosted a Kuder Career Assessment webinar training for our staff
as well as other faculty and staff across the college. The webinar
highlighted the new Journey Component designed to better serve
college and adult students. More information will be included
in the next newsletter about this exciting new development in
Kuder for college and adult students, which is scheduled to go
live in July 2010.
Counseling,
Career,
and
Disability
Services
Special
Activities
in
April and May
Attended a two-day TN Ahead Conference for postsecondary
disability service providers in Pikeville, TN on April 15 and
April 16. This included very beneficial training about best
practices in disability services at postsecondary institutions
from OCR (the Office of Civil Rights).
Co-facilitated Energy Solutions Training with Vice President
Teresa Duncan on April 23.
Participated in Roane County Disability Services Transition Fair
on April 23, along with several other community agencies,
businesses, and Vocational Rehabilitation. We were able to
provide these high school students with information about
transitioning to disability services in college as well as
information about career services available at Roane State.
Counselors assisted students with the GYSD (Get Your Stuff
Done) event at all locations. Students were provided with career
counseling, entrance counseling, and academic advising.
Provided presentations to various classes and groups about:
Team Building, Non-Verbal Communications, Stress Management, Role Play, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).
Everyone in the department assisted with the implementation
and facilitation of the redesigned New Student Orientation
which began in April will continue throughout the summer.
Page 4
RAIDER WISE COUNSEL
Counseling, Career, &
Disability Services
Staff:
Tracey Watson
Director
Jeff Snell
Counselor
Julianne Cole
Counselor
Tina Messamore
Support Staff
Carol Jarabek
Support Staff
Roane State Community College
Counseling, Career, and Disability Services
Contact Information
Roane County
Tracey Watson, Director
watsontl@roanestate.edu
865-882-4546
Carol Jarabek, Support Staff
jarabeklc@roanestate.edu
865-882-4546
Oak Ridge
Jeff Snell, Counselor
snellja@roanestate.edu
865-481-2003
Julianne Cole, Counselor
davisjy@roanestate.edu
865-481-2003
Tina Messamore, Support Staff
messamore@roanestate.edu
865-481-2003
www.roanestate.edu/counseling
www.roanestate.edu/disabilityservices
www.roanestate.edu/careerservices
From bottom left: Carol Jarabek, Tracey Watson, Julianne Davis
From top left: Tina Messamore & Jeff Snell
RSCC is a TBR and AA/EEO institution. RSCC publication # 10-130