Berkshire Meadows is a residential school for students with complex medical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. Our program runs 365 days a year and includes 24/7 nursing and medical services and allied health services. Services focus on child-centered, individualized educational and treatment approaches in a beautiful setting with state-of-the-art equipment and therapy animals. Many of our students exceed their goals for learning new skills.
At Berkshire Meadows, skills development is provided 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, in order for each student to make progress and maintain what they’ve learned during extended vacation periods. Instructional periods are brief and consist of one-on-one instructional periods, instruction at the time and place of functional use, clear, consistent expectations, daily routines and schedules, hand-over-hand assistance, and verbal and physical prompting to provide the best mechanism for skill development.
Significant modifications and individualization of the content and methodology of the educational and residential program help emphasize access and functional skills, and provide multiple opportunities for practice and short instructional periods alternated with breaks. Our program is highly structured, emphasizing the development of communication skills, appropriate behaviors, and functional activities. It incorporates hands-on activities delivered in a variety of settings across an extended day.
Individuals with severe intellectual disabilities may exhibit challenging behaviors that increase their risk to health and safety. Berkshire Meadows employs a team approach to addressing these behaviors under the leadership of a skilled Clinical Director and Medical Director. This approach utilizes positive programming to achieve realistic outcomes, helping individuals enhance their self-management skills.
Berkshire Meadows offers 24-hour nursing coverage, an in-house nurse practitioner, and the services of visiting physicians. Consulting physicians include nationally-recognized experts in the field of disabilities and healthcare, and focus on the complex needs of the individuals, including assessment and treatment for orthopedic, gastrointestinal, and neurological disorders. Berkshire Meadows’ relationships with leading medical centers enable all residents to receive the most advanced diagnostic services, treatment, and supportive care.
We also have a fully accessible indoor pool with a motorized floor, which enhances access and allows for changes in depth to accommodate various therapeutic exercises. Our aquatic therapy program focuses on building muscular strength through various exercises that enhance flexibility, muscle strength, and range of motion. It also reduces muscle spasticity and joint pain. The setting provides relaxation and self-healing, while also offering stimulation for our students.
Students live in fully accessible homes on campus that are equipped with lifts and specialized bedrooms. These residences offer 24-hour nursing and medical coverage and are conveniently located within walking distance or a short elevator ride from the school.
Our residential staff work with individuals in their homes, providing a normalized routine of activities of daily living, as well as group and individual recreational activities and community/social outings. Examples of regularly offered activities include bowling and recreation. Many children also participate in weekly therapeutic horseback riding. And a therapeutic dog is in residence and offers a consoling presence or attractive diversion to many.
No team members found.
Referrals come from the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Disabilities or public school districts as part of the IEP process.
Tiffany Semm
Executive Director
249 North Plain Road Housatonic, MA 01236
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