New Outdoor Courtyard Opens
at Creekside Campus |
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Students at our Creekside campus are enjoying a new outdoor courtyard designed to support learning, leisure, and fitness activities.
Located between Summit Academy Creekside and Summit Academy Enhanced, the fully accessible courtyard is a versatile place to spend time outdoors, build skills, discover new interests, and connect with peers. The courtyard features a wheelchair ramp, walking path, permanent shade structures, picnic tables, raised garden beds, and more. Safety fencing surrounds the area, providing freedom to students and peace of mind to staff and families.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on September 16, featuring remarks from Summit CEO Lisa A. Foti, Assemblymember Karen McMahon, and Amherst Town Supervisor Shawn Lavin. Summit Academy Creekside students helped cut the ribbon, and guests were invited to explore the new space.
The courtyard was first envisioned in 2022, when staff members participated in a series of creative space planning sessions led by landscape architect Joy Kuebler. Together, they identified three primary goals: skill building, recreation and relaxation, and physical fitness. These goals shaped the design and amenities, resulting in a vibrant space that can be used in numerous ways throughout the school year.
The Summit Center is actively investing in recreational opportunities across its school campuses. Along with the courtyard, the playground at Summit Academy Stahl was resurfaced in the fall of 2023. In 2025, leisure lounges were created at Summit Academy Elmwood and Summit Academy Hazelwood.
Projects like the courtyard are made possible by the generosity of our community as there is no consistent source of capital funding from New York State. Supporters from across the region brought our vision to life, including The Children’s Guild Foundation, Golisano Foundation, and the James H. Cummings Foundation. State assemblymember Karen McMahon also played a vital role, securing funding from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.
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Summit Expands Behavioral
Health Services to Adults |
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The Summit Center has expanded its behavioral health services to support individuals across the lifespan, adding therapy and diagnostic evaluations for adults. To reflect the broader scope of services, the agency has rebranded its Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic as the Behavioral Health Clinic. The move underscores The Summit Center’s commitment to compassionate behavioral health care for children and adults of all neurotypes and mental health needs.
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The Behavioral Health Clinic includes a team of licensed psychologists offering individual therapy sessions grounded in evidence-based methods. Providers have extensive experience in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, emotional regulation issues, challenges from autism and ADHD, and other concerns. Adult autism and ADHD evaluations are also available as well as evaluations to diagnose a range of mental health conditions.
The addition of adult autism evaluations addresses a significant gap in Western New York, where access to diagnostic services for adults is often limited. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Psychiatry found that autism diagnoses among adults ages 26 to 34 increased by 450% between 2011 and 2022.
For many individuals, an autism diagnosis can provide long-awaited clarity and validation, leading to a better understanding of themselves and their experiences. After the evaluation process, clients have the opportunity to continue their care through therapy. Sessions focus on leveraging strengths and building effective strategies that support greater well-being.
“Too often, people struggle to find providers who understand both neurodiversity and mental health,” said Dr. David Meichenbaum, director of the Behavioral Health Clinic. “The Behavioral Health Clinic brings those areas of expertise together, making it easier for children, adults, and families to access comprehensive, evidence-based care in one place.”
The Behavioral Health Clinic is helping meet the growing demand for behavioral health services across the region. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit TheSummitCenter.org or call (716) 799-8521. |
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Buffalo Bills Show Support
for Summit Families |
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It’s been a memorable summer for Summit families, thanks in part to some special friends from the Buffalo Bills and The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism.
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid kicked things off by donating his $10,000 Home Run Derby winnings from the Greg Rousseau Charity Softball Game. His generous gift will make a meaningful difference for the children and adults we serve.
The Bills also gave several Summit families the opportunity to experience the excitement of the team’s preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. For many, it was a chance not only to cheer on the Bills, but also to explore the new Highmark Stadium.
And for individuals who may need a quieter space during a game or event, The Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism is helping make the stadium more welcoming and accessible. The foundation invited Summit and other local organizations to the unveiling of new sensory rooms at Highmark Stadium. The low-lit spaces help muffle the noise of the crowd and feature comfortable seating, tactile elements, and other sensory items, giving individuals a place to take a break when needed.
We’re grateful to Dalton Kincaid, the Buffalo Bills, and the Flutie Foundation for recognizing the importance of creating inclusive experiences and continuing to show up for the autism community. |
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A New School Year Begins
at Summit Academy |
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Earlier this month, Summit Academy welcomed new and existing students for the 2026-2027 school year. Students and teachers alike were excited to get back in the classroom to start another year of learning and growing together. Summit Academy's enrollment is at an all-time high, with 389 school-age students and 83 preschoolers across its four school campuses.
“Every new school year brings a fresh sense of excitement and possibility,” said Mary Bennett, superintendent of Summit Academy. “We’re thrilled to welcome our students back and begin another year of learning, growth, and discovery. Our dedicated staff are committed to helping each student reach their individual goals while creating a supportive environment where they can thrive. We look forward to all that our students will accomplish in the months ahead.”
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Address Challenging Behaviors with Strategies for a Successful School Year |
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Educators and school personnel who work with students with autism, anxiety, or behavioral disorders are invited to attend “The First 50 Days: Troubleshooting and Overcoming Challenging Behaviors and Its Related Barriers,” a virtual workshop taking place Tuesday, November 3, from 12-3 p.m. The workshop will be presented by David Meichenbaum, PhD, clinical director of Behavioral Health Clinic.
Participants will have an opportunity to pause and reflect on the successes, challenges, and barriers they have encountered during the beginning of the school year. The workshop will explore factors within educational settings that may contribute to challenging behaviors, strategies for overcoming common barriers, and tools to support the development of adaptive alternative behaviors.
Registration costs $105, which includes three NYS-approved CTLEs, Psychology CEUs, or Social Work CEs.
Visit TheSummitCenter.org for more information or to register. Contact (716) 629-3417 or [email protected] with questions.
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Stay Golden at the 2026 Summit Gala |
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Get ready to celebrate an evening of individuality and possibility at the 2026 Summit Gala!
Join us Friday, Nov. 6, at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens in Depew for a night filled with great food, meaningful moments, and plenty of fun. This year’s Stay Golden theme celebrates the unique qualities that make each individual shine. Gold, represented by “Au” on the periodic table, offers a fitting connection to autism and a reminder that every person has their own brilliance and value. Guests will enjoy a sit-down dinner, live and silent auctions, the Hope Awards, and dancing at the afterparty with DJ Khoury. Tammy Nicholson and Missy Cornish will serve as this year’s gala co-chairs.
Sponsorships and tickets are on sale now at SummitGala.org. Want to help make the evening a success? Visit our Amazon gift list to donate an item to the silent auction.
We hope you’ll join us for a golden evening benefiting The Summit Center Foundation! |
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Donate Smart: Reduce Taxes with Qualified Charitable Distributions |
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If you’re age 70½ or older and regularly give to charity, a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) can be a powerful strategy to reduce your taxes. A QCD is a donation made directly from your IRA to an eligible charity. It can satisfy some or all of your required minimum distribution. In 2026, individuals 70½ and older can exclude up to $111,000 in QCDs from their taxable income. For married couples, this means a combined potential donation of up to $222,000. It's important to note that QCDs apply exclusively to IRAs and not to employer-sponsored plans like 401(k)s.
One of the biggest advantages of a QCD is that it can count toward your required minimum distribution (RMD). For example, if your RMD is $30,000 and you make a $15,000 donation directly from your IRA to an eligible charity, your RMD will be reduced by $15,000. It's important to remember that the QCD doesn't actually decrease the RMD calculated for you. Instead, the charitable distribution can satisfy part or all of the amount you're required to take from your IRA.
Whether you give $1,000, $10,000, or more, a QCD allows you to support causes you care about while using IRA assets in a tax-efficient way. And because the distribution counts towards your required minimum distribution, it may help you avoid adding otherwise taxable IRA withdrawals to your income. |
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November 3: The First 50 Days Workshop Time: 12-3 p.m.
Location: Virtual
“The First 50 Days: Troubleshooting and Overcoming Challenging Behaviors and Its Related Barriers” is a virtual, three-hour workshop for educators and school personnel who work with students with autism, anxiety, and/or behavioral disorders. Participants will learn strategies to overcome the challenges they have encountered since the start of the new school year. Presented by David Meichenbaum, PhD, clinical director of the Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic. Register today.
November 6: The Summit Gala Time: 6-11 p.m.
Location: Salvatore's Italian Gardens, 6461 Transit Road, Depew
Enjoy a sit-down dinner, live and silent auctions, the Hope Awards, and an afterparty hosted by DJ Khoury at this year's Summit Gala. Sponsorships are now available. Call 716-629-3423 for more information. Tickets and sponsorships are now available at SummitGala.org.
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Autistic individuals may experience the world more intensely—sights brighter, sounds louder, textures stronger. This is called sensory sensitivity. Respecting sensory needs, like quiet spaces or headphones, helps create a comfortable and supportive environment. |
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Our Mission
Guided by evidence-based practice, we maximize life success for people facing developmental, social, and behavioral challenges. |
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