Summit Speech School

[Guest guest]

I cannot speak directly about summit speech as my daughter was not accepted

since she does not have any hearing loss. We also looked at childrens center

for therapy and learning, I was considering it except that it is only a half day

program. I wanted a full day for her. We ultimately ended up going with

Regional Day School in town where she has been for the last two years. She

is

going to switch schools in Sept to Midland School in North Branch. The reason

for my switch was that her school limited ot, pt and speech to 1 hour each

per week and most of it was integrated rather than individual. My daughter

responds much better to individual, therefore we decided to pursue other

options.

The new school is much more speech and language oriented and will provide as

much therapy as is listed in her iep.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I personally weighed the pros and the cons -much like you are doing -

and without a doubt in my mind I chose Summit Speech School for

Tanner. The misconception is that a child that attends a school for

the hearing impaired must also have some type of hearing impairment -

nope.

Almost all the 'apraxic' children that attended the Summit Speech

School in New Providence, NJ -a state of the art facility -had

normal hearing. There were a handful of hearing impaired apraxic

children there too. My nephew also attended SSS -he has a mild

hearing loss from frequent ear infections and a speech impairment -

and he too is doing amazing.

Talk to the director of the Summit Speech School - Kanter

about Rotheweiler's son - a true success story. is

still a member here -however like most of the parents who's children

are doing so well -they don't post as often. In fact most of the

children I know that put their kids on the right EFAs and in the

right therapy/programs are doing amazing and mainstreamed today -

's son being one of them. Why do I bring up 's son?

Because he too had behavioral problems (head banging for example) -

not from PDD or autism -but from frustration. The EFAs were the

first to stop the behavioral problems -and then he got the right

therapy - (like many parents in our group) is an awesome

advocate -and like Tanner -her son attended the Summit Speech School

until he was six.

Most of the children I know that were given and taught to use a

complex augmentative device were much older than your child -even if

they were nonverbal. I don't know your child -however I know that

will not hesitate to give you her opinion once she knows the

situation and your child -and off the cuff I'd say the answer is to

wait with the complex augmentative for now and take the Summit

Speech School.

When on an old apraxia list when Tanner was first diagnosed (another

rebel thing I brought up back then) I brought up the question about

teaching hearing apraxic children in schools for the hearing

impaired because " if they teach deaf children to communicate -then

maybe they can help Tanner " I figured that like our kids -deaf

children need a multisensory way to learn to speak since our kids

don't just " pick it up " from other children -or from anyone. I was

told by that list owner it was not a good idea because Tanner

wouldn't be getting sign language in the class, and he wouldn't have

good role models.

-since you saw the Summit Speech School -I don't have to tell

you what the classes are like -it's like a state of the art much

more beautiful than any you could imagine " normal " school - and yes

the children are talking. About two years after I brought up my off

the wall thought, and after Tanner was thriving there and more and

more children through the CHERAB group attended either Summit Speech

School or Lakedrive school (another school for the hearing impaired -

but not an oral based one) and also thrived -Dr. Joan Sheppard from

Columbia and others did a presentation at the ASHA conference about

teaching hearing apraxic children at schools for the hearing

impaired -deaf. Unfortunately for some unknown reason -ASHA only

allows members to view their articles -so not to worry ASHA -any

important information like this will be kept secret from the world

(and the point of that is?...)

told me the reason that they don't allow sign in the school

is that a child who is deaf that does not communicate verbally by

five will most likely never talk -where they can learn to sign at

any age. And as says - " It's a verbal world " On the other

hand -the school day is not all day -you can still sign with your

child the rest of the time -and it's not like the

teachers/therapists will not acknowledge sign -they just don't

encourage it.

Whatever they did -it worked and it's the best school Tanner ever

went to -and all the parents I know who have a child that went there

say the same. I wish they had a K-12 program. There were so many

children that attended the Summit Speech School with apraxia -that I

joked to they should rename the school to Summit Speech

School for Hearing Impaired and (hearing) Apraxic Children. Of

course the funding for the SSS is for the hearing impaired and deaf -

so " ssshhhh " -we have to be a bit quiet about that fact. As always -

apraxics get the short end of the stick.

Below are some archived messages to hopefully answer a bit more -

and I hope others answer as well!

From: " kiddietalk " <kiddietalk@...>

Date: Thu Sep 26, 2002 11:34 pm

Subject: difference between two types of hearing impaired schools

" And also in what ways the programs at the 2 schools for the hearing

impaired differed "

Sorry -just going to close my computer down and found I forgot to

add this to my last email!

Summit Speech School is an oral based school for the hearing

impaired and Lake Drive is a traditional school for the hearing

impaired.

Lori Deforest and other parents that have hearing impaired apraxic

children can fill us in on the crazy strong politics of " deaf

culture " against oral based schools like SSS. Here's what my

understanding is the difference.

Oral based schools do not use sign language -not that that's great

for our kids that are hearing apraxics, but didn't appear to hurt

them. The philosophy is not for apraxics that are hearing -it's for

the deaf - a child that is deaf that doesn't learn to talk by five

will most likely never talk where a person can learn sign at any

age. Summit Speech School has an amazing track record with teaching

deaf children to talk -and even before I heard about schools for the

deaf from anyone -I thought " If they can teach deaf children to talk

and people like Helen Keller they have to be able to teach Tanner

somehow. Maybe his brain will learn it different but there's got to

be a way to teach him. " At that time Tanner was one of the only

children with apraxia being schooled with hearing impaired

children. At SSS other than the rising amounts of apraxic children -

the deaf children mostly have had implants of cochlear implants from

a very young age -so they hear and are taught to understand what

they hear and to talk!

The deaf community -which is a world in itself and a whole culture -

considers cochlear implants mutilating the deaf children. I'll

never forget the answer to a " signed " attack (which I hear is not

uncommon) from a deaf person against this one Dad's son's cochlear

implant.

(most of the kids know sign too -and the parents -they are just

taught not to depend on this since the rest of the world doesn't

know it) This dad defended what they did by signing back " so if your

child had a problem with his heart you would just let him die or

would you get surgery to correct it? It's our choice and right to

correct our child's deafness - this is a hearing world "

The Lake Drive school follows principals of in teaching language in

blocks " Links to Language " -and they do sign language. I don't know

as much about this school except out of the children I know that

attended there -they were more severe -and in two cases the school

systems considered the children cognitively impaired even though

that was debated by the parents. Most of the parents that I know

had children at SSS. At SSS if you were to observe the classrooms

you wouldn't know the difference between what they did during the

day and any other awesome preschool was doing.

From: " kiddietalk " <kiddietalk@...>

Date: Fri Sep 27, 2002 8:09 am

Subject: Re: Speech IEP/what to look for

Hi Kim!

You know before I answer your question there is one thing I left out

about oral based schools for the deaf that may be another very

important reason that apraxic children do so well in these

classrooms. In Tanner's school -the Summit Speech School -they used

an FM system in the classrooms -which amplifies the teacher's voice

throughout the room. I've read that this system may also be useful

for those children with auditory processing disorders.

http://www.judithpaton.com/

I don't believe there is any research on apraxic children learning

to speak in a classroom that utilizes an FM system vs. one that

doesn't ...I of course write this very tongue in cheek since there

isn't much of any research, talk, or awareness about apraxia (even

though it's more common than autism because it can be found in many

with autism -but is in addition found in a large number of other

disorders and also stands alone -or with mild " soft signs " -then

typically viewed as the child that ranges from " just a late talker "

to PDD)

A language based preschool is in a nutshell where the learning is

through the activities. For example -if the child is painting -the

teacher or aide or SLP or OT etc. could be sitting right by the

child saying " blue! you chose blue! can you say blue? bluuuue? "

The teacher then may ask the child which color they want to paint

with next, and give them a choice between yellow or red. However

of course if the child is nonverbal the aide accepts nonverbal ways

of communication -or verbal attempts -praises the child and then

will repeat the word that was attempted back correctly.

In a language based preschool they will work on certain themes

-and

all activities will revolve around core words of that theme. Those

words (and the pictures that go with them) will be sent home with

the child so that they can be reinforced by the family. For

example -in October almost all over the place in preschools the

theme is Halloween -so the activities may be making masks -or

ghosts, or bats, etc. and the books they read and the snacks -well

you get the point.

http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/themes/Halloween.shtml

http://www.123child.com/fall/hall.html

Here is some information on the web on language based preschools.:

http://www.iub.edu/~s110/preschool.htm

" The Indiana University Speech and Hearing Center conducts a special

program for preschool-aged children. In general, the program

focuses on development of language skills as a key to learning.

Thus, the program is designed to enhance the language learning of

preschool children, whether they are typically developing, learning

English as a second language or exhibiting communication delays.

Philosophy

We believe that children are active learners. When given a language-

rich learning environment, children will actively construct language

from their experiences. All children are viewed as candidates for

language enhancement. Language teaching is most effective when it

focuses on the interests of individual children during natural

interactions in the classroom setting. Since language crosses all

areas of development, we believe in an integrated approach where

cognitive, social-emotional, motor and other learning occurs

throughout the day and in the context of meaningful activities.... "

(this whole page is about language based preschool programs so a

good one to look at)

http://www.iub.edu/~s110/preschool.htm

" What is the distinction between the TCOE preschool programs and

VUSD preschool programs?

The child who will benefit the most from VUSD preschool programs

will be within the average range in two or more developmental areas

(social, cognitive, receptive/ expressive language, self & #8209;help

skills

and fine/gross motor skills.) Often, but not always, the child's

primary handicapping condition will be in the area of speech and

language. Typically, these children have a communication system

indicating the need to express themselves. These are also children

who are able to learn classroom structure and organization. In other

words, these are children who are ready to progress and learn. The

classrooms are language & #8209;based but rely on a structured,

organized

curriculum that children can developmentally " navigate. " Although

experiential play is a part of the curriculum, there are more

demands made upon the child to express knowledge and learning in an

organized, sequential manner. This does not preclude children with

other handicapping conditions. We have made substantial gains in

children diagnosed with a variety of disabilities. All referrals and

placements are given consideration on an individual basis and

placement is determined by the IEP process. "

http://www2.visalia.k12.ca.us/health/pre-school.htm

" The Language-Learning Early-Advantage Program (LEAP) is an

individualized communication enrichment preschool program. It

features a strong language-based curriculum and a very small teacher-

child ratio designed to maximize each child's speech and language

development. This program is open to children between the ages of

three and five years, and especially welcomes those with speech

and/or language delays only or children who are learning English as

a second language. "

http://www.bsos.umd.edu/hesp/kidbroch.html

" Kyrene Preschool offers a developmental curriculum consistent with

the philosophy. The program is language based with a strong emphasis

on language acquisition and development.

The goals are to provide many experiences for enhancing

communication skills, guidance and support in the development of

self-control and independence, and a positive preschool experience;

to encourage development of a positive self-concept and an accepting

and caring attitude toward others; and opportunities for development

of appropriate interactive skills between peers, creative

expression, making choices, developing problem-solving skills,

growing intellectually, and developing fine and gross motor skills. "

http://www.kyrene.org/resource/preschool/preschool_program.htm

=====

[Guest guest]

,

Thank you for your informative response.

It's funny you mentioned Dr Joan Sheppard and ASHA. I must have spent about

3 hours the other night trying to access her presentation on FM systems. I

searched everything I could think of in Google. Now I know why I couldn't find

it.

I also found Rotheweiler's email in one of her old posts and spoke to

her on the phone last night for about 1/2 hour. She told me some incredible

stories on 's successes at the Summit Speech School. I am definitely

convinced that their program will be excellent for my daughter. She also told

me

an interesting fact. I was concerned if they had experience in dealing with

someone like my daughter with her sensory issues and behavior problems because

I assumed most of the students were hearing impaired but estimated that

about 40% of the children enrolled there have apraxia. This just proves the

point that New Jersey definitely needs a school geared towards apraxic chikdren

I have an appointment with Staci Greenwald on Thursday to help me fight for

my daughter's out of district placement. After talking to and hearing

how much progress has made, I am more determined than ever.

I'll keep you updated. Thank you for your advice.

[Guest guest]

, your information is very interesting because our district sent to

summit speech for my daughter Amara but we were told that since she does not

have

hearing loss she would not be appropriate for their program. That is very

disappointing to me considering how highly you speak of the program. We would

have

loved to have Amara included in a program so language oriented.

[Guest guest]

Did you speak with Kanter the executive director of the

school? The Summit Speech School is part of this grouplist.

Read 's quote here http://www.cherab.org/news/insideedition.html

http://www.oraldeafed.org/schools/summit/

I can tell you for a fact that Summit Speech School's program is not

just appropriate for apraxic children who have perfect hearing, it's

probably one of the most appropriate programs for apraxic children

there is out there outside of the Association Method School which

also originated at a school for the hearing impaired.

I have a son with apraxia and perfect hearing who was regressing in

our town's preschool disabled program, that thrived at the Summit

Speech School. I sat in IEP meetings where time after time after

time it was agreed by all the professionals both from our town's

school, as well as all of the professionals from the Summit Speech

School, as well as Tanner's private therapists and doctors, that

Summit Speech School was the most appropriate placement for Tanner -

who once again is apraxic -and has normal hearing. Tanner attended

Summit Speech School from 3 and a half till the age of six.

(ssshh, Tanner is even in a brochure that was shot in the school -and one of the

children photographed on the website is one of our member's children who has a

hearing apraxic child)

As I posted before -Dr. Joan Sheppard of Columbia University spoke

about teaching " hearing apraxic children at schools for the hearing

impaired " at the ASHA conference about two years ago due to the

success at both oral based schools like SSS as well as the Lake

Drive School in Mountain Lakes, NJ. We pray for the day ASHA

realizes that these papers are not top security briefs and should be

allowed to be viewed by at least medical doctors and other

professionals outside of only ASHA certified members.

And... it's not just my son Tanner -many in this group have children

that are apraxic, also with normal hearing, that have attended or

attend the Summit Speech School who also thrived there. Hearing

impaired apraxics? I know Lori De. from our group is one of the

only parents (there are a few others) who has a child that attended

SSS who is hearing impaired and apraxic. Most apraxic children

however don't have any hearing impairments -even though like with

autism -some hearing impaired children have apraxia.

Sounds to me like reality is not the story they told you. Through

the grapevine -sounds like the Summit Speech School may just be

maxed out for the amount of apraxic children they can take. As I

posted in a previous message -SSS is supposed to be " just " a school

for the hearing impaired for grant reasons, funding, politics, red

tape and all.

Yet once again -apraxic children, are the children with no voice in

more ways than one.

From: KCULLENCPAR@...

Date: Tue Jun 17, 2003 12:21 am

Subject: Summit Speech School

,

Thank you for your informative response.

It's funny you mentioned Dr Joan Sheppard and ASHA. I must have

spent about

3 hours the other night trying to access her presentation on FM

systems. I

searched everything I could think of in Google. Now I know why I

couldn't find

it.

I also found Rotheweiler's email in one of her old posts and

spoke to

her on the phone last night for about 1/2 hour. She told me some

incredible

stories on 's successes at the Summit Speech School. I am

definitely

convinced that their program will be excellent for my daughter. She

also told

me

an interesting fact. I was concerned if they had experience in

dealing with

someone like my daughter with her sensory issues and behavior

problems because

I assumed most of the students were hearing impaired but

estimated that

about 40% of the children enrolled there have apraxia. This just

proves the

point that New Jersey definitely needs a school geared towards

apraxic chikdren

I have an appointment with Staci Greenwald on Thursday to help me

fight for

my daughter's out of district placement. After talking to and

hearing

how much progress has made, I am more determined than ever.

I'll keep you updated. Thank you for your advice.

=====

[Guest guest]

Not to be cynical but I wonder if this information came from Summit

School or via the school district.

> , your information is very interesting because our district

sent to

> summit speech for my daughter Amara but we were told that since she

does not have

> hearing loss she would not be appropriate for their program. That

is very

> disappointing to me considering how highly you speak of the

program. We would have

> loved to have Amara included in a program so language oriented.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I was also told by the office at summit that the school was just for hearing

impaired, when I inquired.

marian

[Guest guest]

> I was also told by the office at summit that the

> school was just for hearing impaired, when I

> inquired.

>

> marian

They told me the same and that they only went up to

a certain age.

Jill Mom to 8yo

[Guest guest]

Nas

My son also went to Summit Speech School in New Providence, NJ and I would

highly recommend it. Don't be taken back by the fact that it's a school for

the hearing impaired. They probably have as much apraxic children there as

hearing impaired children by now. I know when my son went, out of a

classroom of 12, 5 of them were apraxic. It's an excellent school that made

all the difference in the world to my son. Good luck!

kdr2@...

[Guest guest]

Do they accept school age children also, or just preschool aged kids??

-Lis, Brittany and

At 04:33 PM 1/6/2004, you wrote:

>Nas

>My son also went to Summit Speech School in New Providence, NJ and I would

>highly recommend it. Don't be taken back by the fact that it's a school for

>the hearing impaired. They probably have as much apraxic children there as

>hearing impaired children by now. I know when my son went, out of a

>classroom of 12, 5 of them were apraxic. It's an excellent school that made

>all the difference in the world to my son. Good luck!

>

>

>kdr2@...

[Guest guest]

Do you know if Summit has a summer program?

Judi

[Guest guest]

Hi Lis,

Summit Speech School only goes up to age six (

(which is why we waited

until Tanner turned six to move to Florida so Tanner could go to

school at that awesome school until then) I know posted the

links to the school -but make sure you also let them know that

Kanter believed in bringing all children a voice -not just

hearing impaired children. I've heard through the grapevine that

Summit Speech School wasn't accepting any more apraxic children.

The school may not be filled -but I was told for funding reasons

they can't be known as a school for apraxia -they are a school for

the hearing impaired and deaf.

Is anyone having trouble anymore getting in with children that

are " just " apraxic? (other than the whole getting the out of

district placement covered that is which is a whole other obstacle)

So here is a page with a picture and quote from Kanter who we

all love and miss

http://www.cherab.org/news/insideedition.html

The trip to NY for one of our success stories featured on Inside

Edition -Khalid

http://www.cherab.org/information/phototrip2000.html

And since I forgot to put this in my last post

http://www.cherab.org/information/familiesrelate/letter.html

=====

[Guest guest]

Summit Speech School is just a preschool program, unfortunately. I would

have liked to keep my son there through college! ha ha

They do also have a summer program.

in MA

kdr2@...