Daily Life Therapy: Higashi

This web page has been written to provide information on a particular intervention/approach and any research connected with it, not as a recommendation. The outcome of any approach will depend on the needs of the individual, which vary greatly, and the appropriate application of the intervention. An intervention that may help one individual may not be effective for another. It would therefore not be appropriate for the NAS to recommend any one particular practice or therapy.

The information supplied below was originally contributed by Wendy Welch, from the Higashi School, Boston, USA, for the booklet: Approaches to autism. 3rd ed. London: The National Autistic Society, 1997. ISBN: 1899280154. 

History and philosophy

Boston Higashi School, Inc. is an international programme serving individuals, aged three to 22, with autism. The philosophy is based upon the acclaimed tenets of Daily Life Therapy developed by the late Dr Kiyo Kitahara of Tokyo, Japan. The holistic approach captures the essence of humanity and reflects the sensibilities and sensitivities, the intellect and the aesthetics of humankind, attaining harmony in all aspects of life.

Dr Kiyo Kitahara's method provides children with systematic education through group dynamics, modelling, and physical activity. The goal of this educational approach is for the children to develop as closely to normal physically, emotionally, intellectually and to achieve social independence and dignity.

Programmes and services

Daily Life Therapy is an educational methodology framed within normal development based upon: group dynamics, physical education, art, music and academic activity and vocational training. Whole language and a socio-communicative approach are utilised with language acquisition and the development of communication skills. The computer centre, with state of the art software, enhances language and literacy. Academic activities designed for individual capabilities are emphasised. Physical education and vigorous exercise reduce anxiety, gain stamina and establish rhythm and routines. Exercises founded upon principles of sensory integration and vestibular stimulation develop co-ordination and co-operative group interaction.

Academic activities, in the areas of language, arts, mathematics, social studies and science, are compatible with typical school curricula to prepare each student for inclusion opportunities. Art and music provide opportunities to gain mastery and appreciation of aesthetics.

The residential programme is a related educational service designed to teach daily living and social skills and support the day programme in order that students can maintain and derive educational progress. The residential programme is an educational component to optimise life long inclusion in the community and not a place to provide long term living arrangements. Family Support Services offer parent training and involvement through regularly scheduled parent study meetings.

The day programme operates 217 days a year and the residential programme operates 304 days a year.

Contacts

United States

The Boston Higashi School Inc., 800 North Main Street, Randolph, MA 02368, USA;
Tel: + 001 (781) 961 0800
Fax: + 001 (781) 961 0888
Email: donavon@bostonhigashi.org
Website: www.bostonhigashi.org

United Kingdom

Rugeley Horizon School, Bithbury Road, Blithbury, Rugeley, Staffordshire, WS15 3JQ; tel: +44 (0)1889 504400; fax: +44 (0)1889 504101; email: rugeleyhorizon@priorygroup.com; website: www.priorygroup.com 

Japan

 Musashino Higashi Gakuen School, 2-1-10 Midoricho, Musashino City, Tokyo 180-0012, Japan; tel: +81 (0)422 52 2211; fax: +81 (0)422 53 1090;

Publications

Collins, M. et al.  (1995) Common Ground: Report on a Visit by The National Autistic Society to the Boston Higashi School, 5th - 9th November 1995. London: The National Autistic Society.
Available from the NAS Information Centre

Edwards, D. (1995) The efficacy of Daily Life Therapy at the Boston Higashi School. In: Therapeutic Approaches to Autism: Research and Practice. Collected papers from a Conference. Sunderland: Autism Research Unit, pp. 115-127.
Available from the NAS Information Centre

Elgar, S. (1989) Report of my visit to Dr Kiyo Kithara's Boston Higashi School, Boston, USA. Communication, 23(1), pp. 5-6.
Available from the NAS Information Centre

Evans, J. (1995) Boston Higashi: a parent's eye view. Stop Press! (Newsletter of the West Midlands Autistic Society), February 1995.
Available from the NAS Information Centre

Kitahara, K. (1984) Daily life therapy: a method of educating autistic children. Record of Actual Education at Musashino Higashi Gakuen School, Japan. Volume I. Boston, Mass: Nimrod Press.

Kitahara, K. Daily life therapy: a method of educating autistic children. (1984) Record of Actual Education at Musashino Higashi Gakuen School, Japan. Volume II. Boston, Mass: Nimrod Press.

Kitahara, K. (1984) Daily life therapy: a method of educating autistic children. Record of Actual Education at Musashino Higashi Gakuen School, Japan. Volume III . Boston, Mass: Nimrod Press.

Larkin, A.S. and Gurry, S. (1998) Brief report: progress reported in three children with autism using Daily Life Therapy. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 28(4), pp.339-342
Available from the NAS Information Centre

Martell, R. (1996) Vision need not be a miracle. Therapy Weekly, August, p. 4. Reports on a visit to Boston Higashi school which has been criticised for its emphasis on physical exercise.

Peacock, G. (1994) Higashi: implementing Daily Life Therapy in Japan. A visit to the Musashino Higashi Gakuen School in Tokyo. London, The National Autistic Society.
Available from the NAS Information Centre

Quill, K. Daily Life Therapy: a Japanese model of educating children with autism. (1989) Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 19(4), pp. 625-635.
Available from the NAS Information Centre

Upton, G. (1992) Two hours in the Musashino Higashi Gakuen. Communication, 26(1), pp. 9-12.
Available from the NAS Information Centre

Any item shown as available from the NAS Information Centre may be ordered at a cost of £3.00 per article/book chapter, subject to copyright restrictions. Please complete a copyright declaration form and post it with your payment to the NAS Information Centre, 393 City Road, London EC1V 1NG, or fax to +44(0)20 7833 9666.

If you require information on other approaches please contact the Information Centre.

The NAS Information Centre produces fact sheets on a wide variety of topics and can provide customised reference lists in response to individual requests. The lists are extracted from our database which contains over 10,000 books and articles from the autism field. This service is particularly useful for those wanting to research a specific subject thoroughly.

Related resources

• Service-based interventions

• Photocopy request form (PDF)
  Form for requesting photocopies of NAS publications, information sheets etc.

Download Acrobat Reader®