Residential life is a blend of the nurturing, comforting and caring aspects of home, complemented by a 24-hour educational environment. Although the residential setting is different from the school, it implements the same structure and methodologies under Daily Life Therapy® to promote generalization across all settings and operates 365 days a year. 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.

Day in the Life

  • Transition from Day
    3:20pm - 5:30pm

    Students transition from the day program and arrive in their respective residential divisions.

  • Assembly
    3:20pm - 5:30pm

    Time to review the schedule for the evening and prepare for upcoming activities. Review attendance, weather and special events as well as monthly core words.

  • Chores
    3:20pm - 5:30pm

    Every day students are encouraged to prepare their clothes for the evening and next morning, while also preparing backpacks with extra clothes like for swimming.

  • Swimming
    3:20pm - 5:30pm

    Swimming is scheduled throughout the week for each division. While swimming, students are encouraged to practice skills and to have fun!

  • Music
    3:20pm - 5:30pm

    Special Subject classes in residence are led by Activity Leaders. Music classes focus on having fun and trying new things.

  • Communication
    3:20pm - 5:30pm

    Special Subject classes in residence are led by Activity Leaders. Communication classes allow students to continue to improve their social skills.

  • Student mixing ingredients in a bowl for culinary arts

    Culinary Arts
    3:20pm - 5:30pm

     Special Subject classes in residence are led by Activity Leaders. Every division has an assigned day to cook their own meals. This includes shopping for ingredients, meal prep, cooking, and serving meals.

  • Student dropping off shopping bags

    Vocational
    3:20pm - 5:30pm

    Special Subject classes in residence are led by Activity Leaders. Vocational lessons focus on preparing students for potential job opportunities like shopping at the grocery store

  • Physical Education
    3:20pm - 5:30pm

    Special Subject classes in residence are led by Activity Leaders. PE lessons allow students to exercise in fun and engaging ways.

  • Outside Walk
    3:20pm - 5:30pm

    As students jog routinely in the day program, residential students take walks around campus to help refocus on the evening activities.

  • Dinner
    5:30pm & 6:30pm
    (older students)

    Many students exhibit strong food preferences and eat only similar tasting foods or foods with certain textures. The students are encouraged to eat a wider variety of foods through intense direction by one or more staff members using physical prompts, verbal prompts and modeling. 

  • Bedtime Routine

    Routines are very important and students regularly brush teeth, shower, and change into pajamas every night.

  • Phone Call Home

    Once a week each student in Residence will call home via video call or telephone.

  • Bedtime

    After a long day, it’s important to get some sleep before heading to school the next day!

View a sample community outing calendar: