September 2021

Construction is underway for new treatment center

After several years of planning, The Summit Center anticipates opening the new Center for Autism Assessment and Treatment (CAAT) in July 2022. The $1.4 million dollar project will be the first of its kind in Western New York, providing services for children and young adults with autism who demonstrate severe behavior challenges. 

 

Construction began this summer on the CAAT, which will feature five new classrooms, four specialized treatment rooms, a kitchen, and a multipurpose room that will act as a gym and cafeteria. The new 15,000-square-foot center will connect to Summit Academy’s 165 Creekside Drive location to create a campus-like environment.  

 

There are only 14 known treatment centers that specialize in autism in the U.S. and most are inpatient hospital-based programs. The CAAT will enable Summit to meet the needs of more children and young adults with autism, developmental, social and behavioral concerns in the Western New York community. The CAAT model focuses on understanding why a child is engaging in a specific behavior and addressing it before it escalates to a crisis. 

 

“The Center for Autism Assessment and Treatment will have a profound impact on the lives of children and young adults with autism, as well as their families, by providing intensive, effective treatment to modify severe behaviors,” said Dr. Amy Jablonski, Vice President of Education and Behavioral Health. 

 

The CAAT is made possible by all our generous donors who gave to our Building Hope Capital Campaign. Stay tuned in the upcoming months for more details about the CAAT’s grand opening. 

P.A.C.E. forms new partnership with Buffalo State College

The Summit Center’s P.A.C.E. (Prevocational And Community Experience) participants are getting hands-on experience working in a college dining hall thanks to a new partnership with Buffalo State College and Chartwells.

 

In past years, P.A.C.E. worked with the University at Buffalo, but due to COVID restrictions, this collaboration was put on hold. Fortunately, P.A.C.E. was able to continue the program this year after connecting with the team at Chartwells, the company that provides dining service on Buffalo State’s campus.

 

P.A.C.E. participants began their new program in late August, working at the college's Bengal Kitchen. Each day, individuals attend a morning session where they discuss different work skills, such as time management, how to handle difficult conversations, and customer service.

Afterwards, they apply what they learned as they work on their daily tasks. So far, responsibilities include busing tables, washing dishes and getting the dining room set up for customers.

 

Jessica Reszitnyk, Coordinator of Pre-Vocational Employment, said, “This opportunity gives participants a chance to integrate and interact with the students and customers.”

 

This is the fourth year of the P.A.C.E. program. The goal is to help individuals develop work skills so they can eventually gain employment. In previous years, some P.A.C.E. participants became employed at the company they interned with or in a similar field.

 

The Summit Center is thrilled about this new partnership with Chartwells and Buffalo State College and looks forward to seeing the P.A.C.E. participants’ progress.

Celebrating DSP Appreciation Week

Students start new school year at Summit Academy

School is in session! Summit Academy welcomed back its students for the 2021-2022 school year earlier this month. Students and teachers alike were excited to get back in the classroom to start another year of learning and growing together. We look forward to sharing our students' stories throughout the year!

Local tattoo shop donates $3,500 to Summit

Save the Date: Party for Summit

Pro Tips: Visiting the Doctor's Office

1. Desensitize at a young age.

 

If you can, start introducing the concept of a doctor visit early on in your child’s life. It takes time and effort to gradually desensitize children with autism to the idea of a doctor’s visit. Consider purchasing commonly used tools, such as a stethoscope or tongue depressors, to let your child see them, play with them and become comfortable with them. Pair this with some type of positive reinforcement, such as their favorite movie playing in the background or a treat.

 

At The Summit Center, our staff practice familiarizing students in need with this approach. Once a child is familiar with the medical equipment, a staff member will move on to simulate how the tools are used, such as touching a stethoscope to a child’s chest. Staff continue to use positive reinforcement until they are able to complete an entire run through of a mock medical exam.

 

2. Create a social story.

 

Try to get pictures of the doctor’s office, the exam room, and the doctor and nurse that your child will meet with. Show these pictures to your child daily and tell them what they’re going to see, what the doctor is going to ask, and what the exam will be like so they know what to expect.

Some offices may let you schedule a practice appointment so your child can come in, meet the doctor, and see where the exam is going to be so they’re more comfortable when the day of the real appointment arrives.

 

3. Come prepared.

 

Let your doctor know ahead of time that you will be coming. Bring a backpack with some of your child’s favorite toys and treats. Limit access to these items a few days before the visit so that your child will be excited to use them while at the doctor’s office. If you notice your child is becoming anxious or upset, you can pull out one of these items as a distraction.

 

4. Don’t be complacent.

 

The most important thing for you and your child is that they are receiving the best care in an accepting, comfortable environment. You should have high expectations of your child’s doctor.  If your doctor isn’t willing to work with you to make the visit as easy as possible, consider finding another doctor.  You can get recommendations from The Summit Center or even through parent groups on social media. 

 

If you’re unsure how to handle a situation or need access to resources, reach out to your child’s teacher or behavior staff. We’re experts here at The Summit Center and want to help you and your child succeed.

 

Pro Tips provided by: Johanna Shaflucas, M.S. Ed., BCBA, Clinical Coordinator of Behavioral Support

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Guided by evidence-based practice, we maximize life success for people facing developmental, social and behavioral challenges.