December 2025

Summit Academy gets special
visit from Santa Claus

Families delighted in the holiday spirit at a festive Summit Academy event earlier this month. Smiles were everywhere as guests posed for photos with Santa, decorated sweet treats, created holiday crafts, and participated in fun reindeer games.

The event gave families the opportunity to enjoy holiday activities in a sensory-friendly, supportive environment where everyone could feel comfortable and included. A heartfelt thank-you to Santa’s helpers for making this celebration so joyful and memorable for our Summit families!

Hazelwood's leisure lounge provides space to relax and recharge

Games, music, and cozy seating come together to make the new leisure lounge at Summit Academy Hazelwood a welcoming retreat for students. Designed with comfort and connection in mind, the space invites students to relax, recharge, and engage at their own pace. 

Made possible through generous Give 716 Day donations, the lounge supports students as they explore personal interests, practice important skills, and take sensory breaks throughout the day. And the clear fan favorite? A Ms. Pac-Man machine! Not only is it fun, but it helps students build hand-eye coordination and patience while waiting their turn. 

Thank you to our Give 716 donors for helping create a space where students can feel calm, confident, and engaged. A new leisure lounge is also in development at Summit Academy Elmwood.

WNYRCASD annual conference
set for March 20, 2026

The Western New York Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (WNYRCASD) will hold its 2026 conference, “Advancing Behavior Support: From Prevention to Treatment,” on Friday, March 20. The virtual event is designed for teachers, school administrators, therapists, and parents to improve the lives of children with autism. 

Through a blend of research-informed practices and real-world applications, the conference will provide strategies for managing challenging behaviors in children with autism and other developmental disabilities so they can reach their fullest potential. The conference will feature four professionals with extensive knowledge on effective behavioral interventions.

This year’s presenters are: 

• Jason Robinson, Ph.D., BCBA-D, associate professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL
• Stephanie H. Jones, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA, assistant professor at Salve Regina University, Newport, RI
• Jeffrey H. Tiger, Ph.D., BCBA-D, associate professor at Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
• Sean Smith, Ph.D., BCBA-D, clinical provider and assistant professor at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 

Registration for the conference will open in January. Visit our website for more information.

Support growth and progress
in the new year

With 2026 approaching, we’re reminded of the extraordinary power of community. Time and again, we see what happens when optimism and expertise come together: children and adults achieve milestones once thought out of reach.  

Jack, a young student at Summit Academy, is proof that learning is possible for children across the spectrum. Diagnosed at age three, Jack had limited verbal language and struggled with behavior regulation. His parents were concerned for his future. 

Everything changed when Jack began attending Summit Academy. With consistency and understanding from his teachers and therapists, Jack began building skills that increased his confidence and independence. His ability to regulate his emotions is improving every day, along with his ability to tolerate change and uncertainty.  

Stories like Jack’s remind us why our work matters. We provide the safe and nurturing environment that people need to learn vital skills, pursue their goals, and participate in life more fully. 

As 2025 comes to a close, you can still fulfill your resolution to make a lasting difference. Make your impact by empowering children and adults to achieve their potential. Every dollar you give turns possibility into progress.

February 15, 2026: Niagara University Autism Awareness Basketball Game

Celebrate autism acceptance and inclusion as the Purple Eagles take on Iona University. A promotional code for tickets will be available in January with 50% donated back to The Summit Center.

March 20, 2026: WNYRCASD Conference

The WNY Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders will host its annual conference entitled Advancing Behavior Support: From Prevention to Treatment. Registration will open in January.

Fact of the Month

Penguin pebbling is a common way neurodivergent people express affection. It's a way of saying "I saw this and thought of you." Neurodivergent people may give small gifts like rocks, flowers, or drawings as a meaningful way to build connections.

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