Boston Higashi School
Helping children with autism exceed expectations since 1987
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 educationfor forthe thechild childwith withautism. autism.” ” -Dr. Kiyo Kitahara education
What is
Daily 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 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.
Emotional Stability In 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.
The Day Program The Day Program at the Boston Higashi School operates 217 days a year, and utilizes the methodology of Daily Life TherapyÂŽ 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 Life Residential Life is a blend of the nurturing, comforting and caring aspects of home, complemented by a 24hour educational environment. While campus life at the residence is less structured than during the day, it implements the same methodologies under Daily Life TherapyŽ 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.
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
“Play
is the bridge to social development.� -Dr. Kiyo Kitahara
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.
embedded in the Daily Life TherapyÂŽ continuum.
• 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).
Academics Academics 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 Education Employment
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 2030 hour work week. Upon graduation, students have a
“The Higashi philosophy... is that you assume and expect gain.� - Dr. Jerome Kagan, Harvard University
work history with a resumeĚ , employer references, and letters of recommendation - tools that enable students to secure future employment opportunities.
The Emergence Program The 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.
Special Subjects
“Physical Education
fosters a spirit of endurance and ability to pursue one’s objective to the end.” -Dr. Kiyo Kitahara
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.
“Music is a subject
which affords the child with autism parity with typical children.”
Visual Art
-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, oralmotor, 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.
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.
For Parents 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 selfregulation 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,
Our Network of Support “The cooperation of parents and teachers nurturing a child’s spontaneous
desire to learn
is necessary.”
-Dr. Kiyo Kitahara
workshops, home visits, joint activities, weekend pickups and longer vacations together bolster the mission to educate our students to become lifelong productive members of their families and communities.
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
Clinical/Medical The Clinical Team consultative
collaborative
settings, to ensure cohesive collaboration on behalf of our students.
offers services on a
model,
utilizing
licensed
specialists in the areas of speech and language pathology, clinical psychology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy Services are individualized therapy. to the student’s needs, and provided programmatically settings
in
within
classroom
contextually
meaningful
teaching environments.
For Siblings We 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
“Mom...they make autism look so easy.”
- Arielle, after watching her sister compete during Sports Day
vary vary based on on thethe season. activities that based season.Siblings Siblings have have a chance to discover strategies for behavior management, to give and obtain chance support to discover and strategies forsibling behavior mutual fromoptions one another, to see their succeed in their school environment, and most importantly to have fun! management, to give and obtain mutual support from one another, to feel a part of things, and most importantly to
Admissions
Our Mission is to help children and young adults
Boston Higashi School employs a rolling admission process,
with Autism Spectrum Disorder learn to reach their full
and serves students ages 3-22 with diagnoses within the
potential through the methodology of Daily Life Therapy速.
category of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Admissions Office
This unique educational philosophy developed by the late
responds to referrals, processes completed applications,
Dr. Kiyo Kitahara of Tokyo, Japan incorporates a broad and
and schedules interviews. Applicants considered potential
balanced curriculum, including academics, art, music,
candidates for admission are invited to the Boston Higashi
physical education, technology and social education.
School for a screening with qualified staff, and parents/
Students take on challenges, learn to overcome obstacles,
guardians are invited for an interview. An admissions decision
and gain confidence from their own success. This approach
is typically made within two weeks following completion of
allows our students to develop a love for learning so they
the process. The Boston Higashi School does not discriminate
may fully enjoy their family, community, and all that
on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or sexual
life has to offer. As each student grows and learns, their
orientation. The school is authorized under Federal law to
personality and individual character matures, allowing
enroll nonimmigrant alien students.
them to benefit from, and most importantly, contribute to society as adults.
For more information, please contact the Admissions Office at (781) 961-0800 (x104) or admissions@bostonhigashi.org.
Licensing/Accreditation 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.
Affiliations/Membership Lesley 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