July 2022

Celebrating the graduating Class of 2022

On June 23, families, faculty and staff came together to celebrate this year's 16 graduates of Summit Academy. Principal Sue Whittaker, Ed.D., led the ceremony reflecting on the accomplishments of the students, many of whom have attended Summit Academy since they were preschoolers.

Several students spoke and performed during the ceremony. Allison Mooney led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance and Chloe Wolf played "You Are My Sunshine" on the keyboard. Tommy Blackmer was this year's key note speaker, and Max Seefeldt recited an excerpt from Dr. Seuss' "Oh, the Places You'll Go."

"It has been a pleasure watching these students grow, make friends, and reach new milestones," Dr. Whittaker said. "The entire Summit community congratulates them on all they've achieved."

Student artwork on display at Daemen University

Summit Academy students will have their artwork on display Monday, July 25 through Friday, August 5 at the Haberman Gacioch Arts Center at Daemen University, 4380 Main Street, Amherst.

The gallery will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.  A special family night will be held on Wednesday, July 27,  from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Refreshments and art activities will be available. 

“We’re having the exhibition not only to celebrate the amazing art that our students have created throughout the year, but to get people thinking about their own definitions of art," said Sandra Looker, Summit's creative arts teacher.

"Many times in art education the end goal is an accurate reproduction within the guidelines of a lesson. Instead, the art created by the students at Summit demonstrates the joy and process found in the purest form of creating. Each piece in this show has incredible artistic merit, and the students are amazingly talented, but we’d like the viewer to take a moment to appreciate the simple joy that happens while creating.”

For more information, please contact Sandy Looker at slooker@TheSummitCenter.org.

View creative pieces at the Summit Academy Art Show from July 25 - August 5 at Daemen University.

Taking home the gold at the Special Olympics

After months of training, Derek Warren took home three gold medals from the 2022 U.S. Special Olympics in June. He competed in the 100-meter IM, 100 breaststroke, and 200 medley relay. 

Derek participates in Summit's Building Friendship Fridays (BFFs) program, a social group respite program that hosts events and activities in the community. He took some time off from the group while training for the Special Olympics, but returned this month for an aquatic swim night.

Derek began swimming and started regularly competing in high school.  Standing at 6-foot-7, Derek has a wingspan of 7-foot-1, which can be an advantage in competitive swimming.

After winning his first gold medals, Derek has decided to take a well-earned break from competitive swimming to enjoy the summer. However, he plans to start training again if he's invited to the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany next year.

Read more about Derek's journey in The Buffalo News.

Onsite respite programs settle into new home

Last month, Summit respite programs moved to a new, permanent home at 55 Pineview Drive, Amherst. Since the move, children supported by these programs are enjoying a newly renovated space designed with their specific needs in mind.

The space features activity stations for fitness, arts and crafts, board games, and puzzles. Individuals can enjoy playing video games, relaxing in the cozy corner, or spending time alone in a "calm space" away from the group. There is also an outdoor area where children can play basketball or cornhole, or relax at a picnic table.

Summit’s S.T.A.R. Intensive, which serves small groups of three to four children with high behavioral needs who struggle in site-based respite, will also use the new space.

Families set sail on the Spirit of Buffalo

Several Summit Academy students and their families enjoyed excursions on the Spirit of Buffalo, a 73' sailing vessel, during the recent summer break.

The Spirit of Buffalo is committed to providing an inclusive environment for individuals with autism. During the cruise, children enjoyed raising the sails, sounding the horn, and steering the boat. 

These excursions began last summer thanks to Kim Reynolds, a Spirit of Buffalo docent, Rich Hillman, owner of the Spirit of Buffalo, and The Children’s Guild Foundation Autism Spectrum Disorder Center at Oishei Children’s Outpatient Center. 

Families can be limited in what recreational activities they can take part in due to the challenges that autism brings. With support from Summit's staff, families enjoyed some meaningful time together.

Give 716 donors raise more than $7,000

This year's Give 716 campaign was a big success. Donors helped raise more than $7,000 to support new technology and equipment for Summit Academy students. Some of those funds will be matched by local companies and the Buffalo Bills and Sabres Foundations.

Funds raised will go toward new iPads, computers, monitors and screens, projectors, and more. This technology helps our students build communication skills, assists staff in catering to students' special interests, and supports staff in monitoring student progress.

Additionally, funds will be used to purchase equipment for Summit Academy Enhanced, our newest program opening in the fall to support children with the most significant needs. 

We are thankful to our donors for recognizing the importance of new technology and teaching tools.

Pro Tips: Visiting the dentist

Pro Tips provided by Johanna Shaflucas M.S. Ed., BCBA, Clinical Coordinator of Behavioral Support; Gretchen Abdulla, Supervising Clinician-Behavior Support; and the Behavior Support team.

Going to the dentist is not a trip most children and adults look forward to, but it’s necessary to maintain our health. Children with autism may have a heightened aversion to the dentist for a variety of reasons. It can be an overwhelming experience in an unfamiliar place. Below are some tips to make visits to the dentist a little easier:  

1. Plan in advance of your child’s visit.

Prepare your child for a trip to the dentist using social stories with pictures of the office, the doctor they’ll see, and the instruments that will be used. Explain to your child why they need to go to the dentist and what’s going to happen while they’re there. Videos can also help prepare them for what they will see and experience.

If your child is really averse to visiting the dentist, help them get used to the idea by taking small steps. For example, drive to the office several times and use positive reinforcement so your child becomes familiarized with the trip. Then practice walking up to the door the next few times until your child feels more comfortable entering the building.

2. Practice at home.

Consider purchasing practice dental tools for your home so your child can see and touch them. Practice at home with non-sharp tools to familiarize your child with the cleaning process. Have them practice opening their mouth, swishing and spitting mouthwash or water into a sink, or try having them use an electric toothbrush to get them used to the sound and feel of the brushes used by the dentist.

3. Talk to your dentist.

Let your dentist know about any needs your child may have. Some dentists will offer practice appointments where you can bring your child to the office to meet the doctor, sit in the chair, and look at the dental tools they’ll see during their real appointment.

If your child has difficulty waiting for longer periods of time, try to get the first appointment of the day. If that’s not possible, ask the dental office what can be done to reduce the wait time for your child. You may have to set up several appointments for cleaning and a dental exam if your child can only handle sitting in the chair for short periods of time.

4. Come prepared.

Bring some of your child’s favorite items to keep them distracted while they wait. Some dental offices have TVs that can play movies or favorite TV shows, so consider bringing DVDs they enjoy to make their experience more positive.

If you need to fill out paperwork, contact the dental office to see if you can do this ahead of time so you can stay focused on your child as you wait for the dentist.

Employee Spotlight - Presented by West Herr

Meet Celeste Gilliam!

What is your role at Summit?

My role at Summit is a Direct Support Professional. I work for several of Summit's Community Programs, including Onsite Respite.

What do you like most about working at Summit?

What I like most about working at Summit is helping people and providing support to children and adults to help them succeed. I enjoy the opportunity to work hands-on with others. My job is rewarding and fulfilling. All of my supervisors are inspirational and give me excellent motivation to achieve my goals.

Name someplace on your bucket list.

A place on my bucket list would be to go back to my hometown in Sante Croce, Italy.

What is your favorite movie?

My favorite movie is Crazy/Beautiful. It's about two people from opposite ends of the social spectrum who fall for each other.

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

My favorite place to eat in Western New York is Brothers Restaurant. I prefer to eat at locally owned restaurants.

Fact of the Month

The signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be noticeable in children younger than 24 months. They may become overly focused on certain objects, rarely make eye contact, and fail to engage in typical babbling with their parents. In other cases, children may develop normally until they are 2 or 3 years old, but then start to withdraw and become indifferent to social engagement. (NIH)

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