I would like to thank those members of the LLCC community who  were there for me and my family after the passing of my mother, Jody Harmon. The hugs, cards, flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society, and presence at her funeral means a great deal to me. Your support has helped me get through a challenging time, especially at this busy time of year. I tell my students and members of the community that LLCC is a great place to work, and your caring further illustrates that. You are the best!

Famous people living with autism:

Darryl Hannah, actress

Famous people living with autism:

Temple Grandin, Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University, internationally-renowned autism spokesperson.

MYTH: ALL AUTISTIC PEOPLE ARE SAVANTS. 

FACT:  Like the character in Rain Man, many people think that all autistic people are capable of extreme feats of memorization and other amazing skills.  While it’s true that some savants are autistic, not everyone with an autism spectrum disorder has these capabilities.

Printed copies of LLCC Employee Directory are now available.  If you would like a hard copy in addition to the directory resources online, please stop by the Information Desk in A. Lincoln Commons or Public Relations and Marketing to pick one up.  If you would like some sent to your location, please contact Amy Flynn, amy.flynn@llcc.edu.

The LLCC Sexual Assault and Violence Education (SAVE) Task Force would like to congratulate Scott Ebbing on winning the SAAM Day of Action Runway Show. Inspired by Walk a Mile In Her Shoes, an event taking place across the nation to bring awareness to sexual assault and gender-based violence, the Runway Show challenged LLCC faculty, staff, and students to strut their stuff across a red carpet runway in A. Lincoln Commons in women’s heels. Scott was chosen as the winner for walking the runway in heels multiple times with enthusiasm and style.

SAVE would like to thank everyone who participated, donated, or stopped by the SAAM Day of Action for helping support survivors, spread awareness, and incite change to prevent sexual assault. SAAM pledges will be available in Student Life and Student Success throughout the month of April.

SAVE encourages students, faculty, and staff to support the LLCC team at this year’s Springfield Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, hosted by Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault on Saturday, April 16th. Students, staff and faculty may donate or join the team at the team’s page (link to https://www.firstgiving.com/team/323102).

MYTH: AUTISTIC PEOPLE ARE VIOLENT.

FACT: Autistic people are no more likely to commit acts of violence than anyone else. This particularly damaging assumption was widely spread in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook shooting.  Some autistic people do act out or have what are known as “meltdowns,” usually as expressions of frustration with themselves or situations, but this doesn’t equate to violence against other people; an autistic might throw objects in frustration, for example, without any desire or intent to hit people with them.

Mark your calendars for an upcoming brown bag presentation by Todd McDonald, vice president, administrative services, and Carmen Allen, professor, computer programming, entitled, “Exploring China – Touring, Food and Education.” The presentation will be held from noon-1 p.m. Thursday, April 21 in the R. H. Stephens. Todd and Carmen recently returned from a trip to China as part of their doctoral program. Bring your lunch and enjoy a look at this fascinating country.

MYTH: AUTISM IS CAUSED BY VACCINES.

FACT: There is no link between autism and vaccines. In 1998, a British doctor named Andrew Wakefield published a paper that linked the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine to autism and thereby created a kind of mass hysteria.  But further studies have shown absolutely no link between vaccines and autism.  In fact, Dr. Wakefield’s paper has been officially retracted and his medical license revoked.

Welcome to Shelly Smothers, admission and registration services representative. Shelly is located in Admission and Registration and can be reached at (78)6-3685 or shelly.smothers@llcc.edu.