March 2022

Supported Employment Program helps people thrive in the workplace

Theresa and Brian are two of the many adults who have found careers they love through Summit's Supported Employment Program.

Starting a career is a goal for many of the adults served by The Summit Center. The Supported Employment Program (SEMP) at Summit supports people with developmental disabilities in obtaining and maintaining competitive employment. Using a person-centered approach to employment planning, SEMP assists individuals in finding a job that aligns with their interests. 

 

Employment specialists at Summit assist with:

• Person-centered planning in job development
• On the job coaching and job training
• Preparing resumes, job searching, and preparing for interviews
• Dressing for success
• Securing transportation
• Connecting with potential employers to promote a person's skills
• And more

SEMP has changed many people’s lives by helping them find a career where they thrive. Brian and Theresa attended Summit’s P.A.C.E. (Prevocational and Community Experience) program in 2017-2018 and, through SEMP, were able to find jobs they both love.

 

Brian became a dishwasher at The University at Buffalo Commissary and has been employed there for almost four years. He is very dedicated to his job, is always willing to work late if he needs to, and he’s a team player.  His employment specialist assists him with online work trainings, getting performance feedback from his manager, and  requesting time off. Although Brian works full-time, he enjoys watching sports, traveling to his lake house in warmer months, and spending time with his family. 

 

Theresa loves working at Platter’s Chocolates and has been in the packaging department for almost two years. She is meticulous about her workspace and a very hard worker. Her manager says that Theresa is a valued employee, and her coworkers appreciate the work she does. When she's not working, Theresa enjoys traveling with her family, spending time with her dog, and watching Marvel movies. 

 

David and Trevor have also worked with SEMP to start successful careers. David has been with The Home Depot for nearly three years as a lot attendant. During this time, David has received several awards for being an excellent employee. His coworkers and managers describe him as a hard worker who is great with customers and always goes the extra mile. Thanks to his commitment, David was able to take a trip to Disney World recently and hopes to take a cruise this year. Outside of his job, David is learning budgeting techniques to become more independent and is in the process of moving into a supported apartment.

 

Trevor is a part-time medical supply clerk at Beechwood Continuing Care, where he has been employed for almost six years. He began as a Project Search student, and was hired by Beechwood upon graduation. Trevor is a dedicated worker and consistently receives positive performance reviews. When he’s not working, Trevor enjoying playing with his dog, Oliver, and traveling to Tennessee to visit his family.

 

For more information about Summit's Supported Employment Program, visit our website.

Work continues on the Center for Autism
Assessment and Treatment

Construction work continues on the Center for Autism Assessment and Treatment (CAAT), located at 165 Creekside Drive in Amherst. All of the steel has been received and the heating and cooling systems have been installed. Crews are currently working on the electrical components and dropping in the ceiling tiles. Once these projects have been completed, they will begin work on the flooring and other finishing details. Additionally, orders for classroom and office furniture are underway.

 

The CAAT will combine the best elements of a special education school with an intensive treatment facility. Stay tuned for more updates. In the coming months, we will be providing details on how this innovative program will operate. 

The Summit Center's 2021 Annual Report is now available

Support The Summit Center at Panera Bread on March 21

Pro Tips: Building safety skills

1. Equip the home.

 

Elopement is a huge concern for many parents and caregivers of a child with autism. Consider installing door and window alarms in your home to alert you if they have been opened. Post visual cues that your child recognizes around the house to indicate what items or doors are unsafe or off limits.

 

Be mindful that fences don’t always work as a means of keeping a child with autism from wandering. If there’s something beyond the fence that they want to explore, such as a pool, a child will find a way to get over that fence. Reach out to a care coordinator to identify in-home supports to help with the teaching process.

 

2. Establish a schedule.

 

It’s important to teach a child with autism the difference between things that are completely off limits and things that they may not be able to do now but can do later. If they’re told, “No, never,” that child is going to want to do that activity or want that item even more.

 

Establish a schedule to let them know when an activity is going to happen, whether it’s playtime outside, taking a walk, or visiting a place in the community. Teach them how to communicate when they would like to leave to prevent situations where the child leaves without asking. Use reinforcement when the child requests something by saying things like, “I love that you asked. Yes, let’s go,” or, “I love that you asked. We need to wait.”  Show them the schedule that’s been established so they can see when they can or can’t do what they’ve requested.  

 

3. Practice different situations.

 

Safety skills take a lot of time, practice, and reinforcement to develop. Repetition and reinforcement are key to helping a child with autism develop these skills.

 

Parents and caregivers should begin practicing in a controlled setting, such as a fenced-in backyard or another area where there’s less risk for elopement. Break everything down into small steps, set up the same scenario, and use the same language every time. For example, if you’re teaching your child to stop, start by having them walk less than a foot away, say their name and say, “Stop.” Practice this many times and make sure your child is stopping before increasing the distance.

 

Fire drills are also important to practice in the home. Teach your child what the fire alarm sounds like and what they need to do if they hear it. Establish a safe meeting place outside and show your child this is where they need to go when they hear the fire alarm. 

 

4. Get to know your neighbors and community helpers.

 

Talk to your neighbors about any safety concerns you may have regarding your child, especially if they have a pool. Many children with autism are drawn to pools and bodies of water, which can create dangerous situations. Explain to your neighbors that your child is interested in their pool and might wander into their yard.  

 

If your child does not know how to swim, let your neighbor know this and ask them to help your child or call 9-1-1 if they see them near or in the pool. Give them your contact information so they can get ahold of you should a situation arise.

 

Parents and caregivers can also familiarize their child with people in the community who are there to help if they get lost. These community helpers include police officers, firefighters, security guards, etc. Teaching them safety signs they might see around the community, like Stop, Poison, or No Swimming can also be helpful.

 

5. Children should carry a form of identification.

 

If a child engages in elopement behavior, make sure they carry some form of identification with them, whether it’s a wallet, a necklace, or ID tags for their shoes. Their name and the parents’ contact information should be included.

 

Project Lifesaver is another resource parents or caregivers can use. Through this program, children wear a wristband that does not easily come off. If they get lost or elope, the local police station can ping their location. Talk to a care coordinator to learn more about this program.

Join the New Heights Monthly Giving Club

Because your monthly donations are automatic through your credit or debit card, it saves you time and postage! We’ll send you a tax statement at the beginning of each calendar year.

The program is flexible. You can change or even stop your monthly giving at any time.

For more information, contact Laura Brann, Development Manager, at (716) 629-3428 or  lbrann@thesummitcenter.org.

 

Your gift will make a lasting impact for children and adults with autism.

Employee Spotlight - Presented by West Herr

What is your favorite movie?

This is a tough one. I love movies. I can narrow it down to my top three: Avengers: Endgame, Hercules, and A League of Their Own.

 

Where is your favorite place to eat in Western New York?

My favorite place to eat in Western New York is a tie between Break ‘n Eggs and Wingnutz.

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and this year's theme is Worlds Imagined! At The Summit Center, we imagine a world where every child and adult with autism and other developmental disabilities can thrive in an inclusive community. 

Fact of the Month

Individuals with autism often have other coexisting medical conditions, which may include: allergies, asthma, epilepsy, digestive disorders, persistent viral infections, feeding disorders, sensory integration dysfunction, sleeping disorders, and more. (National Autism Association)

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

*Don't forget to add TheSummitCenter.org as an approved sender to ensure you receive
all future emails from The Summit Center.