Post on 06-Apr-2016
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Boston Higashi School
Helping children with autism exceed expectations since 1987
“Within every living child exists the most precious bud of self-identity. To search this out and foster it with loving care, that is the essence of education for the child with autism.” -Dr. Kiyo Kitahara
Our Mission is to help children and young adults
with Autism Spectrum Disorder learn to reach their full
potential through the methodology of Daily Life Therapy®.
This unique educational philosophy developed by the late
Dr. Kiyo Kitahara of Tokyo, Japan incorporates a broad and
balanced curriculum, including academics, art, music,
physical education, technology, and social education.
Students take on challenges, learn to overcome obstacles,
and gain confidence from their own success. This approach
allows our students to develop a love for learning so they
may fully enjoy their family, community, and all that
life has to offer. As each student grows and learns, their
personality and individual character matures, allowing
them to benefit from, and most importantly, contribute to
society as adults.
“Within every living child exists the most precious bud of self-identity. To search this out and foster it with loving care, that is the essence of education for the child with autism.” -Dr. Kiyo Kitahara
What isDaily Life Therapy®?
Daily Life Therapy® is 24 hours of structured educational
programming which focuses on the whole person’s
character through “heart-to-heart” education. Based
on bonding between students and teachers, it is an
educational philosophy and way of teaching found only
at two schools: the Boston Higashi School in Randolph,
Massachusetts and the Musashino Higashi Gakuen in
Tokyo, Japan.
Daily Life Therapy® employs a holistic approach in
educating the whole child using three fundamental
pillars:
1) Physical Stamina Building
2) Emotional Stability
3) Intellectual Stimulation
Together, these pillars provide the core foundation of a
broad and full education, rather than merely focusing
on remediating deficits.
The Daily Life Therapy® approach is consistent across
all aspects of teaching and campus life. Through group
dynamics in classes, students are naturally taught
social interactions and relationships as they study a
broad-based, age-appropriate curriculum. Integrating
literacy, math, science, social studies, technology and
the arts (consisting equally of music, art, and physical
education), our students experience a wide range of
subjects to engage the mind. Additionally, students
move around our large campus, explore the nature
trail, participate in community events, and interact
socially with classmates and others in a variety of
opportunities that expand their world as they grow
into adulthood.
Intellectual Stimulation
“The laughter of children is always heard in an
enjoyable school. It is alive with vitality and full
of smiling faces.” -Dr. Kiyo Kitahara
Physical Stamina Building
Emotional StabilityIn this vibrant and energetic environment, through
a consistent, highly structured approach using group
dynamics, teachers bond closely with each student to
achieve emotional stability so that understanding and
trust can develop through “heart-to-heart” education.
Being healthy and happy leaves a child free and open
to experience the varied and intellectually stimulating
atmosphere for learning that is part of this core
approach.
Students can use vigorous physical exercise to learn
to regulate their biological “rhythms of life,” and thus
gain many other benefits in health, mood, awareness
of one’s surroundings, and concentration, without
relying solely on the use of medication.
The Day ProgramThe Day Program at the Boston Higashi School operates
217 days a year, and utilizes the methodology of Daily
Life Therapy® to deliver all of its educational services
through a holistic, group dynamic program. Students
develop an inner sense of well-being and confidence
which propels their curiosity about the world around
them through clear structure, a high level of engaging
activities, and spontaneous fun. Our program blends the
curricular areas of communication, social education,
academics, art, music, physical education, technology
and employment education. Instructional methods
are designed to teach students at their individual
level through real and meaningful experiences in the
classroom, throughout the school campus, and in the
community. We are an open school; we have many
visitors, and parents are always welcome to observe
their child in class. Parent collaboration is essential
for successful generalization of school learning to the
home and community, and forms a key component of
our school mission. Residential LifeResidential Life is a blend of the nurturing, comforting
and caring aspects of home, complemented by a 24-
hour educational environment. While campus life at
the residence is less structured than during the day, it
implements the same methodologies under Daily Life
Therapy® to promote generalization across all settings.
The residence offers two program options, operating
304 and 365 days a year, depending on each student’s
individual programming needs. Teaching self-care skills
is a major focus of residential education across all age
levels. Another focus is to teach recreation and leisure
skills in order to develop a broad range of interests,
enabling students to participate with their siblings and
other family members during visits home. Students
enjoy frequent community outings, such as trips to
museums, the YMCA, bowling, movies, hiking in the
Blue Hills, shopping, and dining at local restaurants.
The Campus of the Boston Higashi School is a 55-acre
site of rolling hills, nature trails, playgrounds, a new pool and
athletic complex, student housing and school buildings that form
a dynamic space for exploration, growth and learning. The many
activities during the Day and Residential Programs are designed to
make full use of the site by all of the students. They garden in the
greenhouse, jog around the school paths, and study science in the
woods. It is truly a stimulating environment for the mind, body
and spirit.
Vacation programming is offered during
seasonal school vacations to help students maintain
familiar routines while participating in recreational,
skill-building activities. Students engage in leisure,
athletics, creative arts, and community activities
embedded in the Daily Life Therapy® continuum.
“Play is the bridge to social development.” -Dr. Kiyo Kitahara
• Classes are heterogeneous, and provide a broad range
of experiences in group participation, from individual
and small class instruction, to larger division-wide
activities.
• Our multi-sensory curriculum is organized through
thematic units that explore concepts rich in literacy,
problem-solving skills, communication, and social
development, while offering students a variety of
opportunities to apply their learning.
• Educational instruction is designed to meet the
individualized learning styles and needs of all
students, aligned with each student’s Individualized
Education Program (IEP).
AcademicsAcademics at Boston Higashi School provide a broad
and balanced curriculum under the holistic and all
encompassing methodology of Daily Life Therapy®,
aligned with the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
The educational curriculum incorporates Mathematics,
English Language Arts, History & Social Sciences, and
Science & Technology/Engineering, while integrating
social education, creative arts and employment
preparation. Our curriculum prepares students for state
and local testing under the Massachusetts Education
Reform Act, the No Child Left Behind Act, and the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. All students
participate in their respective state assessments in
accordance with each student’s Individualized Education
Program (IEP).
Employment EducationEmployment Education provides students the
opportunity to acquire and apply work skills in order
to be able to hold jobs out in the community. Because
work is such an important part of our adult lives,
exposure to various career paths enables students to
pursue endeavors that suit their interests and abilities.
Students at the Boston Higashi School begin employment
education during Junior High School, where they
build a foundation for maintaining employment. We
strive to ensure that all students enjoy work, have
a sense of responsibility, develop work stamina, can
follow directions, and are able to be flexible enough
to work across a range of settings and with a variety
of people. As students develop these essential skills,
they are introduced to practical employment training
on campus as part of their High School experience. In
the Emergence Division, students are able to secure
gainful employment in the community for up to a 20-
30 hour work week. Upon graduation, students have a
work history with a resume, employer references, and
letters of recommendation - tools that enable students
to secure future employment opportunities.
The Emergence ProgramThe Emergence Program bridges the span from school to adulthood, serving students between the ages of 19-22 as they
move forward to adult life. This program offers a highly specialized curriculum that prepares students for graduation.
In preparation, all students work in the community either in paid positions or as volunteers for 20-30 hours per week.
Residential students live in a townhouse environment with their peers, taking increasing responsibility for maintaining
their household living situation. They access community facilities such as libraries, gyms, supermarkets, and banks, and in
general, develop a 24-hour adult lifestyle that mirrors life after graduation. In addition to working during the week, students
continue learning in the areas of computers, art, physical education, leisure, social education, and academics, and they
receive specific instruction in domestic and functional community skills.
“The Higashi philosophy... is that you assume and expect gain.”
- Dr. Jerome Kagan, Harvard University
Special Subjects
Physical Education helps to establish an
appropriate “rhythm of life” in eating, sleeping, and
motivation to learn. The curriculum is comprehensive,
addressing the development of physical fitness, and
lifetime skills and interests. We use all areas of our large
campus for sports and activities, including our new pool
and athletic complex, jogging paths, a fabulous sledding
hill, large gymnasium, and a nature trail with science and
fitness stations. We also use many near-by community
facilities for swimming, biking, roller blading, bowling and
hiking. All students participate fully in the P.E. activities
offered at their age level to gain strength, endurance,
agility, balance, and coordination. Skills are taught by
age level with younger students learning to bounce on
hopping balls and ride tricycles. Elementary and Middle
School age students learn to use roller blades, scooters,
pogo-sticks, stilts, bicycles and unicycles. Junior High
School students learn various aspects of gymnastics
training, and High School students learn yoga, to use
the treadmill, and the team sports of basketball, soccer,
and football. Students in the Emergence Program apply
their physical education at off campus sites. They have
memberships to a gym and learn to use the equipment
safely. They learn to play golf and to fish. Some students
enter community road races and use community biking
trails or roller blading parks.
“Physical Education fosters a spirit of endurance and ability to pursue one’s objective to the end.” -Dr. Kiyo Kitahara
The Visual Arts foster self-expression, creativity
and an appreciation of the beauty of art and our world.
The process of creating leads to a greater awareness of
the creations of others, and to a heightened sensitivity
to one’s surroundings. Students develop technical skills
in 2-D and 3-D projects, working in various media such
as drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, and working
with clay in hand building and wheel thrown pottery.
The fine and gross-motor hand skills of force/pressure/
pinching/grasping required for art projects also help
students to gain muscle strength, dexterity, visual-motor
and bilateral coordination skills. Art challenges students
to develop individually by building their persistence,
care, and choice-making ability, while enhancing their
feelings of self-esteem and creativity. Students have the
opportunity to be recognized as artists and participate
in community art exhibits with other local artists. They
also sell handmade ceramics, soaps, and student-designed
T-shirts at the “Higashi Store” during various school events
throughout the year.
“Music is a subject which affords the child with autism parity with typical children.” -Dr. Kiyo Kitahara
Music is motivating. As students develop an
appreciation of music, they learn experientially about
harmony, rhythm, and creating a beautiful connection
with others. Both the instrumental and the choral music
programs play prominent roles in the life of the Boston
Higashi School. All students participate in singing, from
the time they begin school through the Emergence
Program. Singing develops breathing, posture, oral-
motor, language, intonation and performance skills. The
study of instrumental music develops musicianship and
skill in fine-motor control and coordination. Students
who demonstrate particular talent and interest have
the opportunity to join the Jazz Band or Chorus Group.
All students participate in performances on the local,
national or international level.
Visual Art
Parent Partnership is essential for students to
gain fully from their Daily Life Therapy® education by
generalizing what they learn to home and community.
Dr. Kitahara believed that when teachers and families
collaborate, their children can reach their greatest
potential. The school year was specifically structured
with vacations to ensure times for family bonding and
renewal. The Boston Higashi School requires active
participation from parents in their child’s program.
Participation includes gaining an understanding of
the educational philosophy of Daily Life Therapy®,
participating in workshops and individualized training
sessions, maintaining two-way communication with
staff, implementing strategies for behavioral self-
regulation and enthusiastically supporting their child
at celebratory school events which mark very special
times of the year for the school family.
Family participation and involvement through trainings,
workshops, home visits, joint activities, weekend pick-
ups and longer vacations together bolster the mission
to educate our students to become lifelong productive
members of their families and communities.
For Parents
“The cooperation of parents and teachers nurturing a child’s spontaneous desire to learn
is necessary.”
Our Network of Support
-Dr. Kiyo Kitahara
For SiblingsWe offer programs for siblings (ages 6 and up) several
times throughout the year. “Sibling Days” at Higashi are
a wonderful opportunity for brothers or sisters (young &
old) to come to Boston Higashi School to share stories
and experiences of living with someone on the autism
spectrum. Workshops are interactive, with topics and
activities vary based on the season. Siblings have a
chance to discover options and strategies for behavior
management, to give and obtain mutual support from one
another, to feel a part of things, and most importantly to
have fun!
activities that vary based on the season. Siblings have a chance to discover strategies for behavior management, to give and obtain
mutual support from one another, to see their sibling succeed in their school environment, and most importantly to have fun!
The Clinical Team offers services on a
consultative collaborative model, utilizing licensed
specialists in the areas of speech and language pathology,
clinical psychology, occupational therapy, and physical
therapy
Clinical/Medical
“Mom...they make autism look so easy.” - Arielle, after watching her sister compete during Sports Day
Medical Services are provided on-site in our
Health Room on a 24-hour basis through a full-time nursing
staff, in consultation with a board-certified physician.
Nutrition services are provided in conjunction with medical
services on a consultation basis by a registered dietitian.
Recommendations are implemented by the Director of
Food Services and overseen by the head nurse.
The Case Management Team serves
as a liaison between school, families, school districts,
and human services agencies. Case Managers attend IEP
meetings, and work across school, community, and home
settings, to ensure cohesive collaboration on behalf of our
students.
therapy. Services are individualized
to the student’s needs, and provided
programmatically within classroom
settings in contextually meaningful
teaching environments.
Our Mission is to help children and young adults
with Autism Spectrum Disorder learn to reach their full
potential through the methodology of Daily Life Therapy®.
This unique educational philosophy developed by the late
Dr. Kiyo Kitahara of Tokyo, Japan incorporates a broad and
balanced curriculum, including academics, art, music,
physical education, technology and social education.
Students take on challenges, learn to overcome obstacles,
and gain confidence from their own success. This approach
allows our students to develop a love for learning so they
may fully enjoy their family, community, and all that
life has to offer. As each student grows and learns, their
personality and individual character matures, allowing
them to benefit from, and most importantly, contribute to
society as adults.
Boston Higashi School employs a rolling admission process,
and serves students ages 3-22 with diagnoses within the
category of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Admissions Office
responds to referrals, processes completed applications,
and schedules interviews. Applicants considered potential
candidates for admission are invited to the Boston Higashi
School for a screening with qualified staff, and parents/
guardians are invited for an interview. An admissions decision
is typically made within two weeks following completion of
the process. The Boston Higashi School does not discriminate
on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or sexual
orientation. The school is authorized under Federal law to
enroll nonimmigrant alien students.
For more information, please contact the Admissions Office
at (781) 961-0800 (x104) or admissions@bostonhigashi.org.
Admissions
The Boston Higashi School is approved as a Day and Residential
Program by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education, and the Massachusetts Department
of Early Education and Care. The school is accredited by
the National Commission for the Accreditation of Special
Education Services. Students hail from Massachusetts, and a
variety of national and international locations.
Licensing/Accreditation
Affiliations/MembershipLesley University, Massachusetts Association of Approved
Private Schools (maaps), NAPSEC, Musashino Higashi Gakuen
(Tokyo, Japan), Autism Society of America (ASA), Bridgewater
State University, Milton Academy, Thayer Academy, Japan
Society of Boston, Japanese Association of Greater Boston,
MESPA, ACEI, ADDP, APA, CEC, Randolph Chamber of Commerce,
and South Shore Chamber of Commerce.
Boston Higashi School 800 North Main Street Randolph, MA 02368 (781) 961-0800 www.bostonhigashi.org