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