Boston Higashi School  The International Program for Individuals with Autism       Services under Daily Life Therapy The Boston Higashi School utilizes the methodology of Daily Life Therapy (Seikatsu Ryouhou) to provide educational services determined by the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process and included in the IEP. The IEP is certified by the Director of Special Education that the Boston Higashi School is able to provide the services stated in the IEP. The population served consists of those persons diagnosed with autism or pervasive developmental disorder. Consistent with the definition of autism is § 300.7(b)(1) of IDEA amended 1990. The ruling on the Richardson Indep. Sch. Dist., 21 IDELR 333 (SEA TX 1994) states that the IEP should include goals and _object_ives addressing excessive anxiety and provide services necessary to enable individuals with autism to better cope with anxiety. The major tenets of Daily Life Therapy include, the use of vigorous physical exercise to release endorphins which are natural inhibitors of anxiety, the establishment of stability of emotions and the stimulation of the intellect by providing instruction in the areas of language arts, mathematics, social studies, sciences, and computer technology. Group education aims for the development of the individuality of each child within the group, helping the child grow through becoming self-reliant. The group dynamic promotes learning by imitation and through the use of role models. Boston Higashi School, utilizing Daily Life Therapy, offers an alternative service delivery system to address developmental neurophysiology and sensory, social and communication needs of children with autism that is traditionally provided through therapeutic techniques (occupational therapy, physical therapy, adaptive physical education, speech/language therapy etc.). _base_d upon assumptions of sensory integration, (i.e. neural plasticity, developmental sequence, nervous system hierarchy, adaptive behavior and inner drive) special subject teachers and classroom teachers address educational goals. Daily Life Therapy also addresses subjective awareness of body position and movement in space, postural tone and equilibrium, stabilization of eyes (focusing) in space during head movement. Daily Life Therapy also addresses perception of joint and body movement as well as position of the body, or body segments, in space. More specifically, proprioception enables students to check on the spatial orientation of their bodies or body parts in space, the rate and timing of movements, the amount of force the muscles are exerting, and how much and how fast a muscle is being stretched. Areas of perception, motor planning, and body centrality are also addressed. Evaluations and Diagnostic Services Applied Academics Language and Communication Physical Education Art Education Music Education Employment Education Emergence Program (New) Residential Program Parent Training In Home Training Respite Educational Emergency Inclusion Transition