Monday, December 18, 2017

Automotive Courses at Chamberlain International School


The Chamberlain International School in Middleboro, Massachusetts, caters to students dealing with a variety of psychological and academic issues. Students at Chamberlain International School are afforded the opportunity to take a variety of specialty courses, including an automotive technology program.

Students can choose between two distinct automotive courses at the school. The automotive life-skills course is available to all students. The class addresses a number of basic subjects relevant to owning and maintaining a car. Topics include insight into purchasing a new automobile and how to assess automotive rental agreements.

Students with a stronger interest in automotive technology can take the Chamberlain enrichment course. After reviewing introductory automotive subjects, the course delves into more advanced work, culminating in the renovation of a classic kit car or other project. Past enrichment courses have had students work on 1965 427 Shelby Cobra roadsters, three of which are on display at the campus, and a 1942 Chevy dump truck. For a more in-depth look at both automotive courses, please visit www.chamberlainschool.org.

Saturday, December 9, 2017

Chamberlain International School European Trips


Chamberlain International School in Middleboro, Massachusetts, is a co-educational therapeutic facility for boarding and day school students between the ages of 11 and 22. Chamberlain International School provides students with a variety of unique educational experiences, including multiple opportunities for international travel and study. 

The school manages study-abroad trips throughout the world, including numerous European trips. In Belgium, students have visited historic World War I museums and scenic coastlines in the same day. Students also have had the opportunity to visit a few of the nation’s oldest buildings, such as Loevestein Castle. 

Past trips to the Netherlands, meanwhile, have been highlighted by some of Amsterdam’s most popular attractions, such as the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank house. Amsterdam also has provided Chamberlain students with a unique, firsthand look at engineering, from the series of windmills keeping Kinderdijk village dry to the Neeltje Jans delta works, a comprehensive loch system that prevents seaside flooding. Additional European trips have taken students to Utrecht’s Slot Zuylen Castle and Geldern, Germany.

Friday, November 10, 2017

A Look at Chamberlain International Student and Faculty Makeup


Located less than one hour south of Boston, Chamberlain International School welcomes students between the ages of 11 and 22 who have special educational needs related to emotional challenges and learning disabilities. Students at Chamberlain International School benefit from specially trained educators and small class sizes, as well as a variety of other educational and therapeutic programs. 

Chamberlain’s student population consists of approximately 98 boarding students and 20 day students, with a 2:3 ratio of males to females. The school teaches grades 6 through 12, though some students stay beyond their senior year of high school to take advantage of Chamberlain’s transition program. Students in the transition program can prepare for college or engage in a professional apprenticeship, and some students choose to do both.

Attendees come from diverse backgrounds, including many from outside the United States. As a student and exchange visitor information system (SEVIS)-approved learning facility, the school is adept at meeting the emotional and educational needs of individuals from foreign countries.

Children are divided into classrooms that consist of 8 to 10 individuals, allowing for personalized, focused learning environments. The student body is served by a faculty made up of educators with special education certifications and specialty subject certifications. Other faculty members have received graduate degrees as clinicians and mental health counselors. More information about student life and faculty qualifications can be found online at www.chamberlainschool.org.

Sunday, August 27, 2017

A Primer on Reactive Attachment Disorders in Teens


Chamberlain International School is a therapeutic boarding school serving students with special behavioral and emotional needs. Working primarily with individuals aged 11-22, Chamberlain International School provides in-depth clinical services for students with reactive attachment disorders

The work of psychologists John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth led to the development of attachment theory, which describes how individuals form relationships with other people. Early life experiences play a critical role in how individuals relate to the world, as well as the emotions they experience when entering into close relationships. When parents fail to form bonds with their children due to factors such as substance abuse or mental illness, children often find themselves unable to feel comfortable in intimate relationships even into adulthood. In the teenage years, this often manifests as behavioral issues, emotional withdrawal, and social isolation. 

Teens with reactive attachment disorders often respond well to treatment. Clinical therapy offers different treatment modalities, such as family systems therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, each of which addresses a different component of the participant’s attachment issues. Expressive activities such as music therapy and creative arts therapy can have significant benefits for teens with reactive attachment disorders. In equine-assisted therapy, participants take the small step of caring for a horse, which can give them the confidence and sense of calm necessary to explore relationships with other people.

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Emotion Regulation Training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy


Chamberlain International School is a therapeutic boarding school for students aged 11 through 22. Chamberlain International School combines individualized academics with a comprehensive clinical care program, which includes emotion regulation training based on dialectical behavior therapy.

Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, uses four modules to help clients learn skills to manage their emotions and actions. One of these four modules is emotion regulation, through which clients learn to manage intense negative feelings while strengthening their positive experiences. The client comes to understand that emotions are a natural part of life and not inherently bad, while also coming to accept and release negative emotions rather than acting on them.

The first step is to specifically label negative feelings. The client learns the difference between a primary emotion, which is a reaction to an external trigger, and a secondary emotion, which is the patient's reaction to his or her primary emotion. In becoming aware of the former, the client begins to be able to consciously avoid the spirals of shame often inherent in the latter.

Clients then learn how to reduce their vulnerability to the effects of negative emotions. This involves learning how to take care of their physical well-being, while pursuing activities that increase feelings of competence. Clients also learn to integrate enjoyable and positive experiences into their daily lives, in order to provide balance to the often overwhelming influx of negative feelings that arise.

Once clients have had some practice identifying their emotions and building on positive experiences, they begin to learn how to reduce their suffering in the face of negative feelings. To do so, they learn to mindfully let go of the emotion and engage in positive opposite actions. 

Taking opposite actions may be challenging, in that the individual must still accept the emotion while acting against it. For example, if a client feels angry, he or she may smile and do something kind for another person. Such actions tend to decrease the intensity and the duration of the negative feeling, while protecting against the negative behaviors that can otherwise lead clients to destructive cycles of self-hatred.

Monday, June 26, 2017

Study Abroad Programs Give Students an Experience of a Lifetime


Founded in 1976 to serve diagnostically diverse students who may have been diagnosed with various emotional and learning challenges, Chamberlain International School is a co-educational therapeutic day and boarding school. A school of inclusion based in Middleboro, Massachusetts, Chamberlain International School also hosts international programs to destinations such as the Netherlands and Bermuda. 

Known for its historic sites, landmarks, and museums, the Netherlands offers students studying abroad points of interest such as the Anne Frank House, the Kinderdijk windmills, and the Peace Palace. Students study art, culture, and history, and they have the opportunity to visit unique sites such as a massive castle with its front door in Germany and its back door in Holland. 

For students seeking warmer weather, sandy beaches, and the opportunity to study marine life, Bermuda is home to the Bermuda Institute for Ocean Sciences, a renowned research station that collects ocean data and studies the local ecosystems and geography. Students live at the institute, attend cultural events, and perform community service.

Thursday, June 15, 2017

Therapeutic Schools vs. Traditional Boarding Schools


Located in Middleboro, Massachusetts, Chamberlain International School is a therapeutic boarding and day school that serves students ages 11-22. Motivating and inspiring individuals in an environment conducive to personal growth and academic success, Chamberlain International School’s unique environment helps students who may otherwise struggle in a traditional school setting. 

An alternative solution for youth in crisis, a therapeutic school connects with students on a deeper level, which in turn may help with their mental health. Therapeutic schools tend to differ from traditional schools in that instructors may also have extended psychological training and mental health professionals may oversee the school’s programs. 

Traditional boarding schools prepare students for college by pushing them academically, but they aren’t usually equipped to handle students with behavioral or mental problems. While both traditional schools and therapeutic schools provide some sort of structure, traditional schools usually offer their students more free time to do as they please, whereas therapeutic schools implement additional responsibilities to help students become more self-reliant.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Four Stages of Identity Development


As a school of inclusion, Chamberlain International School invites all students to discover and express their true selves. Chamberlain International School encourages this process through clinical treatment programming, including creative expression groups, as well as through a diverse program of extracurricular activities.

In developing identity, most adolescents pass through stages or statuses of exploration and commitment. Many teenagers spend time in what psychologists term a state of identity diffusion, during which the adolescent is not yet thinking about a particular aspect of identity. An adolescent passing through this status may not only be undecided about a career path, but also may be uninterested in considering possibilities.

For some individuals, a crisis prompts the need for exploration. This often sends a person into a state of identity moratorium, in which the individual is actively exploring or trying on aspects of identity. Commitment to any particular identification is low during this stage, and the adolescent requires strong guidance to stay safe as he or she experiments.

Some developing individuals, however, make a commitment before a crisis occurs. This may be a result of parental dictation of what an individual's identity should be, despite the fact that the adolescent in question has not yet explored possibilities This is known as identity foreclosure. 

Identity achievement, by contrast, takes place when the adolescent him- or herself has experimented, considered, and ultimately chosen an identity that seems to be a good fit.

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Chamberlain International School’s Enrichment Programming


Located in Middleboro, Massachusetts, Chamberlain International School offers a variety of classes and clinical support to students aged 11-21 with learning disabilities and emotional challenges such as ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and depression. To supplement its core educational programming, Chamberlain International School provides students with off-campus vocational training in addition to a mixture of on-campus enrichment programs.

Throughout the years, the school has offered a diverse selection of enrichment programs designed to foster a lifelong love of learning. Students earn credits for completing the week-long courses, which have included culinary arts, gardening, music, and photography in addition to sports such as equestrian, golf, mountain biking, soccer, and swimming.

One of the current enrichment courses is aviation, in which students study the Private Pilot Part 61 curriculum at their own pace at the Alpha One Flight School in Plymouth. In-class lectures are complemented by video training aids, a navigation planning table, and a computer weather station. Students graduate from the program with some of the 40 instructional in-flight hours required to earn their pilot’s license and practice on rainy days with the Federal Aviation Administration-approved “Elite” flight simulator.

Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Art and Music at Chamberlain International School


Chamberlain International School in Middleboro, Massachusetts, was established in 1976 as a school of inclusion for both local and global students. Chamberlain International School provides students with not only educational services and therapeutic support, but also a number of opportunities for creative expression.

The school’s creative initiatives allow students to engage in unique opportunities for self-expression. To maximize creative offerings, the school maintains on site facilities while also establishing partnerships with local businesses. Chamberlain’s art studio, for example, is open to students of all ages and replete with various supplies and materials. Art studio instructors lead students in a number of techniques and mediums, either after school, through introductory courses, or in more advanced settings as part of the school’s student enrichment program.

The school also works with local business partners, such as Rick’s Music World in Raynham. Students interested in learning how to play an instrument can participate in individual lessons and group classes led by knowledgeable musicians and vocalists. Young musicians also can benefit from the Rick’s Music World instrument rental program and a stage that often hosts student and local musicians.

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Arts Programs at Chamberlain International School


Based in Middleboro, Massachusetts, Chamberlain International School aims to support both the educational and emotional growth of its student body. Among its diverse curriculum, Chamberlain International School runs a number of arts programs that foster creative enrichment.

Recognizing that youths learn most effectively when participating in creative educational programs, Chamberlain offers a variety of arts classes to its students. More importantly, these courses allow individuals to communicate their unique viewpoints in an artistic manner. Here are a few arts classes offered at Chamberlain:

Drama
Since partnering with The Burt Wood School of Performing Arts, Chamberlain has been able to offer drama courses to its student body. Over the course of six to nine weeks, participants focus on a single type of dramatic art. Students then present a theatrical production at the end of the course.

Music
Those who participate in Chamberlain’s music program have the unique opportunity to engage in lessons at Rick’s Music World. At this facility, students can rent a variety of different instruments, study under the tutelage of instructors, and perform onstage during open mic shows.

Enrichment Classes
Chamberlain also offers a number of specially designed enrichment classes that provide more diverse options for those looking to expand their artistic knowledge. In the past, the school has offered enrichment courses in several arts areas, including screenwriting, photography, and music history.

Monday, March 13, 2017

Chamberlain International School Creative Arts Programs


Established in 1976 as an educational and therapeutic boarding and day school in Middleboro, Massachusetts, Chamberlain International School serves students throughout the state, across the United States, and around the world. Chamberlain International School offers an array of programs and services, including various opportunities for creative expression.

The school’s creative offerings include instruction in different areas of art, music, and drama, affording students unique opportunities for self-expression. The art studio at Chamberlain is open to all students and allows them to experiment with various materials, techniques, and mediums. Individuals who excel at or simply enjoy introductory courses can take advantage of advanced instruction in art through the school’s student enrichment program.

Instruction in the dramatic arts, meanwhile, is made possible through the school’s affiliation with the Burt Wood School of Performing Arts. Students can engage in sessions lasting between six and nine weeks, with each session emphasizing a unique aspect of the dramatic arts, from improv comedy to student-produced talent shows.

Monday, January 23, 2017

Helping Teens Who Are Experiencing Difficulties - Tips for Parents


For more than four decades, Chamberlain International School has provided therapeutic educational services for students from across the United States. Chamberlain International School works closely with teens who are experiencing difficulties, helping them overcome the social and emotional challenges they face. 

When seeking to help angry teens, parents must take time to establish boundaries and communicate the consequences of overstepping those boundaries. All teens must understand that their actions have consequences, a lesson that will serve them well in their adult lives. 

Parents can connect with teens by attempting to understand the source of their anger. Teens often feel misunderstood by parents and teachers, leaving them with feelings of inadequacy and isolation. In many cases, teens simply need a loved one to listen to them without judgment. 

Parents can also help teens deal with their anger in a healthy way. One of the most common stress management tactics is exercise, which ranges from running and team sports to dancing or singing along to loud music. Whatever the technique, it is vital that teens learn to recognize their emotions and channel them into healthy, productive activities.

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

How Non-verbal Learning Disorder Affects a Child's Ability to Learn




At Chamberlain International School, a team of clinicians, educators, and support staff collaborates to serve adolescents with a variety of challenges. Chamberlain International School welcomes students with a variety of mental-health issues and learning difficulties, including non-verbal learning disorder.

Although it is not yet a clinically defined diagnosis, non-verbal learning disorder (NVLD) encompasses a set of challenges that can affect a child's education. Children with these difficulties do not have any difficulties with reading, writing, or rote learning. This means that the non-verbal learning disorder is often missed by educators and professionals, who mistakenly assume that the child has a behavioral issue.

In reality, the child is struggling with the skills that involve the right half of the brain that allow a child to recognize and apply a pattern or concept. He or she cannot adequately process visual-spatial information and thus cannot copy a shape or understand spatial relationships between objects in a room. As a result, the child often seems awkward or clumsy.

NVLD also affects a child's ability to understand patterns in mathematics, narratives, and even social communications. Because they struggle to conceptualize rules of group behavior, they often act out inappropriately or withdraw from social situations, favoring instead the predictability of video games. They have similar trouble with the necessary organizing and planning of everyday life and cannot plan a project or deconstruct an expectation into smaller, more manageable pieces.