Clinical
The Gifford School provides individualized educational services within a therapeutic milieu to neurodiverse students with complex academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs that affect their ability to thrive in traditional educational settings.
Therapeutic Milieu
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Gifford uses a milieu model that enables teachers and clinicians to work with students in the moment as issues impacting their social and school functioning arise.
Clinical support is embedded in our therapeutic milieu so that students receive in-the-moment feedback from our staff regarding self-awareness, perspective taking and self-regulation. These interactions happen during all aspects of Gifford programming to optimize teaching moments at the lunch table, on the soccer field, during transitions or even during an academic class.We are committed to helping our students increase their self-esteem, gain self- knowledge and develop social skills that will help them to be successful both inside and outside of school.
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Most Gifford students need help managing their emotions during the school day. They may be easily triggered by the stress of school, and have strong feelings which they are learning to control. Gifford’s clinical team works to develop and implement an individualized coping plan for each student. Managing the academic, social, and physiological factors which contribute to mood changes requires an in depth understanding of each student’s needs. Close collaboration with families and outside treatment professionals ensures a consistent approach which will be most helpful.
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Building social skills is a complex tasks that must start with an understanding of each student’s unique strengths and deficits. Using the Social Thinking model we hope to build students’ understanding of social cognition and social pragmatics. We aim to help build social thinking AND social pragmatic skills. Social supports are implemented into every part of the school day, from counseling sessions to the classroom, helping students both develop and practice vital social skills.
Clinical Interns & Consultants
Clinical Interns
Gifford serves as a graduate training site for Masters and PhD candidates in psychology, social work, and mental health counseling. Graduate interns come from different colleges and universities. This year we welcome our interns from Boston College, Lesley University, Smith College, Suffolk University, Framingham State, and William James College.
Interns provide school-based counseling individually and in small groups, and are closely supervised by our Clinical Director and the Clinicians in each of the programs.
Clinical Consultants
Gifford delivers therapeutic services with the help of expert consultants, who assist with the integration of best practices in clinical work, occupational therapy, speech and language interventions, and academic support. Our consultative team works with administrators, social workers, and teachers to ensure that students’ needs are being met throughout the school day.
Parent Support
PAC meets one Friday each month from 10:00-11:00 AM. Each year, we publish a list of dates on our website and on our school calendar. Among the activities that PAC can participate in are the Parent Directory, Staff Appreciation Day, guest speakers, social activities, and lots more. We always welcome new suggestions and volunteers.
Twice a year, Gifford publishes a directory of parents and students that includes names, phone numbers, towns, and email addresses. This directory is intended to help parents and caregivers connect outside of school hours.
Every other month, Gifford offers parents the opportunity to come together and share their experiences. Meetings are organized around a common topic of interest and facilitated by Peter Rosenmeier, Clinical Director.
Twice a year, parents are invited in to meet teachers, learn more about their student's program, and see the great work that goes on every day. Emails go out in advance of these events. We encourage you to join us.