May 2022

The Summit Center hosts first in-person Autism Walk since 2019

Sunny, blue skies kicked off the day as families and friends gathered at The Summit Center for the first in-person Autism Walk since 2019. More than 1,000 people came out to walk in support of the children and adults who receive Summit services.

 

Walkers enjoyed kids’ activities provided by Sweet Charlotte’s, music from DJ Mike Setlock and local band Boomerang, and appearances by Star Wars characters, superheroes, and the GEICO Gecko.

 

The annual Autism Walk is Summit’s largest fundraiser, with money going directly toward the 30+ programs that support 1,350 children and adults. More than $266,000 has been raised so far by participants and community partners. Donations can still be made through June at SummitAutismWalk.org.

 

This year’s top fundraising teams were: Claudia’s Clan, Wonder Twin Powers, Julian’s Gang, Team Charlotte, and Maurer Power. The top individual fundraisers were: Claudia Rosenecker, Tammy Nicholson, Tony DeSimone, Candace Richardson, and Melissa Attea.

 

Thank you to our presenting sponsor West Herr; premium food and beverage sponsor Tops Friendly Markets; t-shirt sponsor Independent Health; silver sponsors American Eagle Fireplace and Playsets, GEICO, M&T Bank, and New Era Cap; and mission sponsors Modern Disposal Services, Owl Orthodontics, and Tim Hortons.

 

We would also like to thank all of walkers, donors, sponsors, volunteers and committee members for making this event so successful!

 

View photos from the day here and watch our thank you video here!

Celebrating our teachers and classroom staff

Teachers and classroom staff are vital in helping Summit Academy students reach their greatest potential. Their hard work, dedication, and compassion are celebrated all year long, but especially so during Teacher Appreciation Week. This year, Summit teachers received a special t-shirt to commemorate Teacher Appreciation Week and to thank them for everything that they do.

 

Summit teachers and classroom aides help students develop important communication, social, motor, and independence skills. Using evidence-based methods, they ensure that each student is progressing toward their individual goals.

 

"Our family wouldn’t be where we are without the dedicated support of our son's team of teachers and therapists. We are so grateful for all the teachers and staff at Summit! We appreciate you all so much," said Laura Chouinard, Summit parent.

 

Thank you to all of our teachers and classroom staff for your commitment to making lives better!

Speech therapists play pivotal role
in helping students communicate

At Summit Academy, helping children and adults learn how to communicate their needs and build relationships with others is an important part of what we do. Our speech language pathologists (SLPs) are an integral part of a student's team.

 

“The work we do with our students is so meaningful. Communication can be a significant frustration for our students. Teaching our students to ask for what they want, to appropriately say ‘no,’ to ask for help, to independently participate in a group and so much more, can help ease the frustration and makes my job feel that much more important and appreciated,” said Lindsay Suchyna, Summit SLP mentor.

 

Summit speech therapists teach, evaluate, and continuously assess speech and language skills. Therapists also assist in the evaluation and recommendations of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). This includes GoTalks, electronic devices with speech applications, and Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS).

 

Our team focuses on students’ expressive language and helping each student carry over those skills in class and beyond. Additionally, our therapists consult and train with staff members and caregivers on a wide array of topics related to speech and language. Classroom teams, including therapists, teachers, and classroom aides, work to address student communication issues to ensure they are learning to express themselves in a functional and appropriate manner during the school day.

 

Of the 324 students who are enrolled in Summit Academy, almost all of them receive speech and language services. Summit's speech therapy department currently employs 22 therapists and is working to expand that number to continue meeting students' needs. 

 

“I love being part of a team that works together to help our students learn and communicate better,” said Jessica Fisher, Summit SLP/AAC supervisor. “The students I work with each have their own unique and wonderful personalities that make me smile each day.  It is so exciting and fun to play a role in helping them communicate and express themselves.”

Construction in final stages at the

Center for Autism Assessment and Treatment

The Summit Center’s new Center for Autism Assessment and Treatment (CAAT) is in its final stages of construction. Floor tiling and carpeting have been installed in the classrooms and office spaces. Ceiling tiles and lighting fixtures are in place, and the bathrooms are nearly complete. Remaining work includes installing windows in the connector to Summit Academy’s secondary school on Creekside Drive in Amherst as well as other specialty finishes.

 

The CAAT will combine the best elements of a special education school with an intensive treatment facility. We are anxiously awaiting program approval from the New York State Education Department. In the coming months, we will be providing details on how this innovative program will operate. 

The TJX Foundation awards $10,000 to support Summit's Early Autism Program

Pro Tips: Creating bedtime routines

1. Create a space for sleeping.

While some children can sleep in a room with toys and games, others do better when there are no distractions. If this is the case, make sure the child's bedroom is not a space where they typically play or watch TV. Limit their playtime to other rooms so they only associate their bedroom with sleeping.

 

2. Create a consistent schedule.

 

Set aside an hour to slowly and systematically get your child ready for bed. Turning off the TV, reading a book, taking a bath, and speaking quietly are signs that it's time to wind down for the evening.

 

Children with autism tend to benefit from a structured schedule. If your child is a visual learner, create a visual schedule of each activity before bedtime. Show them pictures of each activity so they know what to expect. Timing out each activity can also be helpful for some children. For example, if your child likes to spend more time in the bath, try setting a timer and telling them they only have 20 minutes in the bath and then it's on to the next activity.

 

3. Limit naps, food, and screen time in the evening.

 

While your child might feel tired in the afternoon, it’s important to avoid letting them nap. If they fall asleep later in the afternoon, there’s a greater chance that they won’t be tired when it’s time for bed, and they may even be up the whole night. Avoid having large meals right before bed and limit caffeine products like soda or chocolate. Wind down screen time an hour or so before bed. This helps a child's mind and body get ready for sleep.

 

4. Getting up during the night.

 

Sometimes children get up once or multiple times during the night. If this occurs, parents should remain silent and not provide extra attention. Keep the lights off and take the child back to their room. If they continue to get up, repeat the same process. 

 

If a child gets up to use the bathroom, make sure there are night lights in the hallway and in the bathroom. Keep the main lights off, remain quiet, take them to the bathroom and then back to bed. These interactions should be as boring as possible so the child won't be as likely to keep getting up because they're not receiving any engagement.

 

5. Getting back into routine.

 

Consistency is important, but bedtime routines may get interrupted due to vacation, holidays, family visits, etc. If a child starts staying up later than their normal bedtime, parents and caregivers will have to work their way back to that normal time slowly. For example, if a child has been staying up until 11 pm and their normal bedtime is 9 pm, start having the child go to bed at 10:30 pm and work back by 30-minute increments.

Free parent webinar focuses on teaching
children how to complete chores

A free parent webinar will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 pm on Wednesday, June 8. Juli Gunner, MS. Ed., BCBA, The Summit Center, will present Help Me Help You: Teaching Children to Complete Chores at Home, a webinar intended for caregivers of children with different abilities. Topics discussed include ways to select, teach, and reinforce domestic skills to help children become more helpful at home.

 

This webinar is made possible by a grant from NYSRCASD. Requests for accommodations/special needs may be sent to wnyrcasd@thesummitcenter.org or by calling 716-629-3417. 

 

Employee Spotlight - Presented by West Herr

Fact of the Month

The Summit Center Autism Walk has raised over $3 million since its inception in 1999. Funds go directly toward Summit's programs to support 1,350 children and adults with autism and other developmental, social, and behavioral challenges.

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

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