Jefferson County Board of DD

09/03/2026

Have tremendously great Thursday! 😃

09/02/2026

😃☺️
Ohio Early Intervention provides free support and coordinated services for families with infants and toddlers (birth to age three) who have developmental delays or disabilities.

Anyone can make a referral to EI. If you are worried about how a child from birth to age three is growing or learning, you can call 1-800-755-4769.

https://ochids.childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/public/refer

09/02/2026

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All children are unique and develop at their own pace, but there are general milestones that are helpful to understanding your child’s development.

Anyone can make a referral. If you have a concern, call us or complete a simple, online referral below. We will set up a time to talk to you that fits into your schedule.

Referral link:
https://ochids.childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/public/refer

09/02/2026

Have a wonderful Wednesday! 😃

09/01/2026

✅ Check It Out!

📖📚Beyond Acceptance: Autism Inclusion and Equity shares lived experiences on how people on the autism spectrum can thrive when families, professionals, and communities work together.

Tap the link to view unique insight and gain practical tips:

https://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/2026/Beyond_Acceptance_interactive.pdf

09/01/2026

Have a terrific Tuesday! 😃

09/01/2026

🥹🫂

We love to see it. ☺️

For five-year-old Ryder Killam, getting on the school bus meant facing a problem most children never have to think about: simply waiting for it safely.

Ryder, who has spina bifida and uses a wheelchair, lived with his family in Westerly, Rhode Island. When he began attending kindergarten in person in 2021, his bus picked him up near the end of the driveway. Because getting his wheelchair there took time, Ryder couldn't just stay inside and rush out when the bus arrived.

His father, Tim Killam, tried using a patio umbrella to protect him from the rain and wind, but Rhode Island weather quickly proved that wasn't enough. So the family asked their community if anyone had a better solution.

The answer came from Westerly High School.

Construction Technology teacher Dan McKena and his students decided they wouldn't simply find Ryder a shelter. They would build one specifically for him. Over several weeks, students designed and constructed a wooden, wheelchair-accessible structure large enough for Ryder and a caregiver, with help toward materials from the community.

Then they delivered it to the end of Ryder's driveway, complete with a sign reading “Ryder's Bus Stop.”

It was a classroom project, but the lesson went far beyond construction.

Sometimes the most useful thing you can build is something that makes another person's ordinary day a little easier.

Credit: TIm Killam/SWNS

08/31/2026

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A simple misunderstanding during a police encounter can become stressful very quickly — especially when an officer may not realize that the person they are speaking with is autistic.

That is why 26-year-old Alex Mann, who is autistic himself, has spent more than seven years visiting police departments and talking with officers about autism.

Alex began visiting law-enforcement agencies in 2018. Over time, what started as local outreach grew into a much larger effort. By August 2026, he had visited 539 police departments across five states, sharing practical information along with his own personal experiences.

During these visits, Alex explains that autism can affect communication and behavior in different ways. Some autistic people may avoid eye contact, make repetitive movements, speak very little, or need extra time to understand a question or instruction. Others may become overwhelmed by bright lights, loud noises, sirens, or several people talking at once.

Because of that, a person who does not immediately respond to a command such as “stop” may not necessarily be trying to ignore an officer. They may simply need a few extra moments to process what they heard.

Alex encourages officers to stay calm when possible, speak clearly, use simple instructions, and allow a little extra time for a response. He also reminds them that autism looks different from person to person, so there is no single behavior that applies to everyone.

His visits are not only educational. Alex often brings sensory toys and informational handouts, and he has built personal connections with many of the departments he visits. He gives officers patches and often receives department patches in return, creating a growing collection that represents the people he has met along the way.

His advocacy has also helped bring attention to tools designed to make police interactions easier for autistic people. Pennsylvania State Police introduced informational autism cards that people can carry or save on their phones. The cards can alert officers that the person may have communication or sensory difficulties and may benefit from calm, simple communication.

For Alex, the goal has remained the same from the beginning: help officers better understand autism so that stressful encounters can be handled with more patience, clearer communication, and greater awareness.

One department at a time, his work is helping create more understanding between autistic people and law enforcement — and that understanding can make a difficult moment safer for everyone.

08/31/2026

Have a marvelous Monday! 😃