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WEST JORDAN -- Judith Zimmerman is a school psychologist who sees children with heavy concerns. She and others at the Jordan Family Education Center help kids through things like bullying, depression and anger management. The center works with these issues for children even in elementary school.
Zimmerman said, "Kids would get in fights at school, and suspension isn't the best option in my mind. If you can say to the parent in lieu of suspension your child can attend an anger management class, at least you are dealing with the issue in a positive way - so giving the kids skills."
There are classes for adults too.
"The anger management for adults has been a really popular class as well. Sometimes it helps adults to know the skills, then they can help their child learn the more positive way of dealing with problems as they arise," said Zimmerman.
She said the classes came out of the needs they saw in counseling, like divorce, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, self-discipline and truancy.
She said, "I think it's been really beneficial for families to learn how to help their children. Then they don't feel so alone."
One in-demand class is one teaching social skills for children with high-functioning autism and Asperger's.
Zimmerman explained, "Kids (with Asperger's) have a difficult time socially, so started out with a social group in middle school. The class was so popular that we extended it down to elementary."
Zimmerman said the evening classes were free for anyone in public, private, charter or home school.
Counseling is offered as well for free, but only for families within the Jordan School District.
The Jordan Family Education Center is now located at West Jordan Elementary School on 7220 S. 2370 West. For more information, you can reach the center at 801-565-7442.
E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com
