Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is the founder of your school?
2. What does HIGASHI mean?
3. What is Daily Life Therapy?
4. Is Boston Higashi School the only program of its kind in the world?
5. When did Daily Life Therapy originate?
6. Are you a full year program?
7. What are the ages of your students?
8. Do you have an adult program?
9. What is your admission procedure?
10. Can my child apply to Boston Higashi School from outside of the United States? Is the Boston Higashi School licensed?
11. Do you take students from abroad?
12. What is the student-teacher ratio?
13. What are the teachers' qualifications?
14. What is your approach to communication?
15. What is a typical daily schedule?
16. Do you use any drugs to control students' behavior?
17. How do you incorporate parents into their child's education?
18. Do the residential students go out into the community?
19. Are there any publications about DLT?
20. Are there any opportunities open to the public to observe and find out more about Daily Life Therapy?
21. Do you follow MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System)?
1. Who is the founder of your school?
The late Dr. Kiyo Kitahara and Mr. Katsuhei Kitahara were the founders of both the Musashino Higashi Gakuen School in Tokyo, Japan and the Boston Higashi School, in Randolph, MA. She established the Musashino Higashi Kindergarten with help from her husband to teach autistic and typical children in an integrated setting. Daily Life Therapy, her now well-known and successful method for educating autistic children, evolved from that beginning.
2. What does HIGASHI mean?
Higashi literally means "East." Dr. Kitahara named her school Higashi School because the sun rises in the east and a new day brings hope.
3. What is Daily Life Therapy?
It is an educational approach based upon three "pillars", or principles, which foster the development of human dignity and self-esteem in the growing child and allow him or her to contribute to and benefit from society. Recognizing the social isolation and emotional instability of children with autism, the approach seeks to help children form bonds, relate to others, communicate and control their anxieties so as to master tasks and learn skills for doing and thinking which will allow them to relate to others at the same time as they develop independence.
These principles are first, to help stabilize emotions by creating a known and predictable environment in which the child can master the skills for independence and thus feel accomplishment and pride; second, to establish a rhythm of life and physical health and well-being through vigorous exercise; and third, to stimulate intellectual and cognitive growth through a broad and age-appropriate curriculum that allows individual interests and talents to flourish, taking into account any modifications necessary for each individual child.
The major tenet of Daily Life Therapy is that education should be conducted in an environment of normality.
4. Is Boston Higashi School the only program of its kind in the world?
Our mother school, Musashino Higashi Gakuen School, in Tokyo, Japan is the only other school that practices Daily Life Therapy.
5. When did Daily Life Therapy originate?
Daily Life Therapy, "Seikatsu Ryouhou" was founded by the late Dr. Kiyo Kitahara in Tokyo nearly 43 years ago in 1964. It was introduced to the United States in 1987.
6. Are you a full year program?
Our Day Program is 217 days and Residential Program is 304 days. Our goal for the students is to remain a part of and attached to their own family and to have the opportunity to contribute to family life. It is therefore important that they get to spend some extended periods of time at home. There are two 2 week vacations in the winter and spring and a 4 week vacation in the summer.
All of the parents are encouraged to plan ahead for their vacations including preparing a daily schedule, planning special activities and discussing the vacation period with the child's teacher before it begins.
7. What are the ages of your students?
Our students range in age from 3 years old through 22 years old.
8. Do you have an adult program?
Boston Higashi School serves young adults through the age of 22. At this time we do not have an over 22 program. Our students between the ages of 19-22 have a specially designed curriculum which combines community based employment and a range of functional academics to promote the development of an individual lifestyle for each student.
9. What is your admission procedure?
Our admission procedure is quite extensive.
For a child to be appropriate for our program, the child needs to have a diagnosis of Autism, Autistic-like, Asperger Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder(PDD), or Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified(PDD-NOS). The parent then needs to submit a variety of forms and assessments including medical and educational as well as a videotape of the child showing typical activities. After the application, videotape, educational and medical assessments are reviewed, the Admissions Committee will arrange an interview with the child and parents if the student is considered for admission.
10. Can my child apply to Boston Higashi School from outside of the United States? Is the Boston Higashi School licensed?
Yes. We accept students from throughout the United States and on a world-wide basis. From the United States we have students from Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, as well as from Guam and Puerto Rico. We also have students from Angola, China, Columbia, Ireland, Japan, Liberia, Kuwait, Pakistan, Philippines, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Venezuela. The Boston Higashi School is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Education, Massachusetts Office for Child Care, Illinois State Board of Education, California Department of Education, New York Department of Education, New Jersey State Board of Education.
11. Do you take students from abroad?
Yes. This school is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.
12. What is the student-teacher ratio?
The Boston Higashi School provides a 3:1 school wide student teacher ratio. Class ratios in the Elementary, Middle School and High School are 6:1 to 8:1 respectively. In the Early Childhood division there is a ratio of 4:1.
13. What are the teachers' qualifications?
Most teachers have at least a Master's degree in special education and are certified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. There are no "teacher's aides" or "assistants" teaching the students. Specialist teachers have certification in their area of expertise.
14. What is your approach to communication?
Boston Higashi School uses a multi-modal approach meaning students are encouraged to use a variety of means to communicate including eye contact and gaze shifting, gestures, head nods, and body language, pointing, picture exchange, sign language, vocalizations and verbalization as ways to express themselves. Communication in a broad sense is also based upon having meaningful relationships with others and an understanding of the expectations of one's environment.
15. What is a typical daily schedule?
Our students have a very structured schedule for the day including daily living skills, academics, special subjects including P.E., Art and Music and a daily assembly. Students do their daily activities in class/division groups.
16. Do you use any drugs to control students' behavior?
No. The fundamental mission of the Boston Higashi School is to provide education. Daily Life Therapy does not rely on medications, vitamins or other chemical substances in the treatment of children with autism. Dr. Kitahara's philosophy is that "the child needs to overcome its disability by its own strength." We look at the child as a whole person, therefore bonding between the teacher and student, daily routine, developing self-confidence and self-esteem and an environment of normality are key components of the educational methodology. As well as not using medications, Daily Life Therapy is also not a behavior modification approach. We utilize basic body postures throughout the day to encourage children to increase their self control. Many other aspects of the environment, such as the routine systematic structure of the day and the vigorous exercise, contribute to behavioral control as well.
17. How do you incorporate parents into their child's education?
The goal for our students and their families is to experience a high quality of life. Therefore a close partnership and collaboration MUST exist between parents and the Boston Higashi School. Both school and home must have the same values and expectations to help each child grow to his/her full potential. The Boston Higashi School has developed a process for parents to become closely involved with their children's education including Parents Collaboration Meetings, school events, and phone call updates.
18. Do the residential students go out into the community?
Yes, frequently. Acquiring community skills is one of the goals for the residential students. The students visit the post office to buy stamps to send letters to their parents, the library to check out books, the supermarket to buy their cooking ingredients. The students go swimming throughout the year. They also take many age appropriate field trips(movies, restaurants, and beaches.)
19. Are there any publications about DLT?
Dr. Kitahara wrote a series of books on Daily Life Therapy. Her original Daily Life Therapy books were translated into English in 3 volumes and published in 1984. They are available through the school.
20. Are there any opportunities open to the public to observe and find out more about Daily Life Therapy?
Boston Higashi School often has Open Houses to the public. The public is welcome to any school event as well.
We also offer workshops called "Professional Day" highlighting various aspects in the field of Autism and detailed information on Daily Life Therapy. If you are interested please contact the school.
21. Do you follow MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System)?
Due to the MA regulations students in special education programs should receive instruction in the content areas of the Massachusetts General Curriculum. Boston Higashi School is required to provide access to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. All Massachusetts students must participate in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, typically given in standardized test form. Our students are unable to be tested in that manner. Therefore, the state is allowing our students to be tested in an alternative form, portfolio assessment.
1. Who is the founder of your school?
2. What does HIGASHI mean?
3. What is Daily Life Therapy?
4. Is Boston Higashi School the only program of its kind in the world?
5. When did Daily Life Therapy originate?
6. Are you a full year program?
7. What are the ages of your students?
8. Do you have an adult program?
9. What is your admission procedure?
10. Can my child apply to Boston Higashi School from outside of the United States? Is the Boston Higashi School licensed?
11. Do you take students from abroad?
12. What is the student-teacher ratio?
13. What are the teachers' qualifications?
14. What is your approach to communication?
15. What is a typical daily schedule?
16. Do you use any drugs to control students' behavior?
17. How do you incorporate parents into their child's education?
18. Do the residential students go out into the community?
19. Are there any publications about DLT?
20. Are there any opportunities open to the public to observe and find out more about Daily Life Therapy?
21. Do you follow MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System)?
1. Who is the founder of your school?
The late Dr. Kiyo Kitahara and Mr. Katsuhei Kitahara were the founders of both the Musashino Higashi Gakuen School in Tokyo, Japan and the Boston Higashi School, in Randolph, MA. She established the Musashino Higashi Kindergarten with help from her husband to teach autistic and typical children in an integrated setting. Daily Life Therapy, her now well-known and successful method for educating autistic children, evolved from that beginning.
2. What does HIGASHI mean?
Higashi literally means "East." Dr. Kitahara named her school Higashi School because the sun rises in the east and a new day brings hope.
3. What is Daily Life Therapy?
It is an educational approach based upon three "pillars", or principles, which foster the development of human dignity and self-esteem in the growing child and allow him or her to contribute to and benefit from society. Recognizing the social isolation and emotional instability of children with autism, the approach seeks to help children form bonds, relate to others, communicate and control their anxieties so as to master tasks and learn skills for doing and thinking which will allow them to relate to others at the same time as they develop independence.
These principles are first, to help stabilize emotions by creating a known and predictable environment in which the child can master the skills for independence and thus feel accomplishment and pride; second, to establish a rhythm of life and physical health and well-being through vigorous exercise; and third, to stimulate intellectual and cognitive growth through a broad and age-appropriate curriculum that allows individual interests and talents to flourish, taking into account any modifications necessary for each individual child.
The major tenet of Daily Life Therapy is that education should be conducted in an environment of normality.
4. Is Boston Higashi School the only program of its kind in the world?
Our mother school, Musashino Higashi Gakuen School, in Tokyo, Japan is the only other school that practices Daily Life Therapy.
5. When did Daily Life Therapy originate?
Daily Life Therapy, "Seikatsu Ryouhou" was founded by the late Dr. Kiyo Kitahara in Tokyo nearly 43 years ago in 1964. It was introduced to the United States in 1987.
6. Are you a full year program?
Our Day Program is 217 days and Residential Program is 304 days. Our goal for the students is to remain a part of and attached to their own family and to have the opportunity to contribute to family life. It is therefore important that they get to spend some extended periods of time at home. There are two 2 week vacations in the winter and spring and a 4 week vacation in the summer.
All of the parents are encouraged to plan ahead for their vacations including preparing a daily schedule, planning special activities and discussing the vacation period with the child's teacher before it begins.
7. What are the ages of your students?
Our students range in age from 3 years old through 22 years old.
8. Do you have an adult program?
Boston Higashi School serves young adults through the age of 22. At this time we do not have an over 22 program. Our students between the ages of 19-22 have a specially designed curriculum which combines community based employment and a range of functional academics to promote the development of an individual lifestyle for each student.
9. What is your admission procedure?
Our admission procedure is quite extensive.
For a child to be appropriate for our program, the child needs to have a diagnosis of Autism, Autistic-like, Asperger Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder(PDD), or Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified(PDD-NOS). The parent then needs to submit a variety of forms and assessments including medical and educational as well as a videotape of the child showing typical activities. After the application, videotape, educational and medical assessments are reviewed, the Admissions Committee will arrange an interview with the child and parents if the student is considered for admission.
10. Can my child apply to Boston Higashi School from outside of the United States? Is the Boston Higashi School licensed?
Yes. We accept students from throughout the United States and on a world-wide basis. From the United States we have students from Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, as well as from Guam and Puerto Rico. We also have students from Angola, China, Columbia, Ireland, Japan, Liberia, Kuwait, Pakistan, Philippines, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Venezuela. The Boston Higashi School is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Education, Massachusetts Office for Child Care, Illinois State Board of Education, California Department of Education, New York Department of Education, New Jersey State Board of Education.
11. Do you take students from abroad?
Yes. This school is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant alien students.
12. What is the student-teacher ratio?
The Boston Higashi School provides a 3:1 school wide student teacher ratio. Class ratios in the Elementary, Middle School and High School are 6:1 to 8:1 respectively. In the Early Childhood division there is a ratio of 4:1.
13. What are the teachers' qualifications?
Most teachers have at least a Master's degree in special education and are certified by the Massachusetts Department of Education. There are no "teacher's aides" or "assistants" teaching the students. Specialist teachers have certification in their area of expertise.
14. What is your approach to communication?
Boston Higashi School uses a multi-modal approach meaning students are encouraged to use a variety of means to communicate including eye contact and gaze shifting, gestures, head nods, and body language, pointing, picture exchange, sign language, vocalizations and verbalization as ways to express themselves. Communication in a broad sense is also based upon having meaningful relationships with others and an understanding of the expectations of one's environment.
15. What is a typical daily schedule?
Our students have a very structured schedule for the day including daily living skills, academics, special subjects including P.E., Art and Music and a daily assembly. Students do their daily activities in class/division groups.
16. Do you use any drugs to control students' behavior?
No. The fundamental mission of the Boston Higashi School is to provide education. Daily Life Therapy does not rely on medications, vitamins or other chemical substances in the treatment of children with autism. Dr. Kitahara's philosophy is that "the child needs to overcome its disability by its own strength." We look at the child as a whole person, therefore bonding between the teacher and student, daily routine, developing self-confidence and self-esteem and an environment of normality are key components of the educational methodology. As well as not using medications, Daily Life Therapy is also not a behavior modification approach. We utilize basic body postures throughout the day to encourage children to increase their self control. Many other aspects of the environment, such as the routine systematic structure of the day and the vigorous exercise, contribute to behavioral control as well.
17. How do you incorporate parents into their child's education?
The goal for our students and their families is to experience a high quality of life. Therefore a close partnership and collaboration MUST exist between parents and the Boston Higashi School. Both school and home must have the same values and expectations to help each child grow to his/her full potential. The Boston Higashi School has developed a process for parents to become closely involved with their children's education including Parents Collaboration Meetings, school events, and phone call updates.
18. Do the residential students go out into the community?
Yes, frequently. Acquiring community skills is one of the goals for the residential students. The students visit the post office to buy stamps to send letters to their parents, the library to check out books, the supermarket to buy their cooking ingredients. The students go swimming throughout the year. They also take many age appropriate field trips(movies, restaurants, and beaches.)
19. Are there any publications about DLT?
Dr. Kitahara wrote a series of books on Daily Life Therapy. Her original Daily Life Therapy books were translated into English in 3 volumes and published in 1984. They are available through the school.
20. Are there any opportunities open to the public to observe and find out more about Daily Life Therapy?
Boston Higashi School often has Open Houses to the public. The public is welcome to any school event as well.
We also offer workshops called "Professional Day" highlighting various aspects in the field of Autism and detailed information on Daily Life Therapy. If you are interested please contact the school.
21. Do you follow MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System)?
Due to the MA regulations students in special education programs should receive instruction in the content areas of the Massachusetts General Curriculum. Boston Higashi School is required to provide access to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. All Massachusetts students must participate in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, typically given in standardized test form. Our students are unable to be tested in that manner. Therefore, the state is allowing our students to be tested in an alternative form, portfolio assessment.
800 North Main Street, Randolph, MA 02368 | Tel:781-961-0800 | Fax:781-961-0888