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The Lifeways School

The purpose of the Lifeways School is to provide educational, behavioral, vocational and community supports to students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, developmental disabilities and challenging behaviors. For the most part, it is the students' challenging behaviors that have precluded them from receiving instruction in a regular educational setting.

An overriding goal of the Lifeways School is the reintegration of the student into his or her home school and neighborhood as soon as possible. In addition to targeting challenging behaviors for elimination, functional and more socially acceptable alternatives are taught. In this manner, students learn how to get what they want and need without resorting to what may be described as undesirable behaviors.

In addition to a general education curriculum based on the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, the Lifeways School also employs a life skills curriculum designed to teach students skills they will need to live, work and play in a typical school and community. Thus, skills such as money use, cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene and community travel receive great emphasis.

It is hoped that most students will return to their home schools after only one or two years at the Lifeways School. To help make this happen, in-home supports and transitional planning are critical pieces of the program.

The Lifeways School supports elementary, middle and high school students. Also available is a six-week summer program.

The Lifeways School also offers an after school program providing students with a quality after school program Monday- Thursday 3:00 - 5:00 pm. The program is designed to compliment activities and programs the students receive at The Lifeways School with a special emphasis on recreational and leisure time skills.

The Lifeways After School Program goals include the following:

to build upon the existing skills and abilities of the participants
to compliment the activities provided to participants in their educational programs
to enhance the participant's quality of life
to develop confidence, self-esteem and motivation in the participants
to provide opportunities for increased community integration and full recreational participation

For further information please contact the Program Director, Margaret Moran,

at (978) 689-7200 ext. 501. Our fax number is (978)687- 9348.

Page Last Modified 09/24/07 01:47