About High Peaks Rehabilitation & Development Center

Who we are // What we do // Support for parents & caregivers // Our Beliefs // Our Services

Who We Are
In 1976, Judith Danz Swanson, MS, CCC-SLP, opened a private practice known as Speech & Hearing Associates. With changes in funding sources and increasing demand for special services for toddlers and preschoolers with disabilities, our name changed to High Peaks Rehabilitation and Development Center. Now High Peaks employs over 30 therapists and professionals including speech-language pathologists, audiologists, psychologists, occupational therapists, physical theraposts, special education teachers, and teaching assistants. High Peaks Staff treats children with developmental delays, motor disorders, speech and hearing difficulties, and a wide range of other differences and diagnoses. <<TOP>>

What We Do
High Peaks provides a wide range of developmental, educational and therapeutic services to children through Early Intervention and Preschool programs in Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland, Oswego, and Madison Counties. Services include audiology, special education, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and langauge pathology, and more. In addition, High Peaks continues to serve adults and children in need of Speech Therapy and Audiology services in our Syracuse Office and at Auburn Memorial Hospital.

We strive to provide evaluations and therapy of the highest quality, utilizing a wide variety of test procedures and intervention strategies and materials. Evaluations and therapy conducted by our state-licensed professionals are designed to meet the individual needs of all clients.

Therapeutic intervention includes age-appropriate activities and materials to support growth in language, motor, sensory or cognitive skill areas. While adults and older children are usually seen in our office setting. Children in the 0-5 year population may be seen in our office, at home, or at a daycare or preschool setting to accommodate the needs of families.

To ensure continued learning, growth, development and "fresh skills" within our staff, at least twice yearly, each of our staff members attend conferences or workshops to increase their skills in a variety of areas. At monthly staff meetings they share their knowledge with all staff, so that we can all benefit from the latest news in our field to help our clients.  <<TOP>>

Support for Parents & Caregivers
Another aspect of a therapist’s or teacher's job is to educate the parents regarding their child's strengths and weaknesses and to provide activities that can be completed during non-therapy times. Parent education and involvement is crucial to the success of the child's programs. The therapist or teacher also works closely with other professionals or caregivers who may be involved with a child to ensure carry over of all goals intended for successful outcomes.

For children ages 0 to 5 years, the county health department (for ages 0-3) and school districts (for ages 3-5) supervise programs designed to identify children with any type of special educational need so that they can receive the earliest possible intervention and build a strong foundation for future school success.

Negotiating the paperwork and referral process can be a distressing process for parents who are unfamiliar with these programs. As approved evaluators for Early Intervention and Preschool programs our staff can offer a complete explanation of the programs and evaluation process and discuss options and concerns with parents to make the experience successful. The best news is that these evaluations are at no cost to parents. <<TOP>>

Hig Peaks Statement of Beliefs

To learn more about services available at High Peaks, click here.

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