Medication Philosophy
The legacy of Dr. Kitahara provides a model of education that views the individual with autism as a person who should be nurtured through education and relationships. Dr. Kitahara believed "within every living child exists the most precious bud of self-identity. To search this out and foster it with loving care; that is, the essence of education of the autistic child."
Dr. Kitahara believed that medication, as a behavioral intervention is incompatible with the methodology of Daily Life Therapy®. Daily Life Therapy is a holistic approach, which promotes learning and development through the creation of the bond between teacher and child, providing an environment of safety, and security in which learning can occur.
The basic tenets of Daily Life Therapy establish an implemented pattern of daily living, sufficient daily exercise for health and stamina, and intellectual stimulation. Together these activities help children focus attention, diffuse energy, feel calm and relaxed, and create a stimulating environment, which opens the doors for learning.
Medication for behavioral intervention, such as anxiety reduction or hyperactivity control, are incompatible with Daily Life Therapy because they interfere with the ability of children to learn to regulate themselves. Moreover, medications may have side effects that interfere with learning and the child’s growth and development, either immediately, or over a length of time. Medication can inhibit full participation in activities by reducing motivation to explore, and to participate in and enjoy activities, thereby reducing learning opportunities. In addition, medications used to treat behavioral symptoms in autism have not proven to be effective in the long term. We have found medication not necessary as children do develop self control in our program.
Therefore, the tenets of Daily Life Therapy reject the usage of medication as a behavioral intervention. The requirement for participation in Daily Life Therapy and continuing enrollment at the Boston Higashi School is that your child be free of any medication utilized as a behavioral intervention.
The legacy of Dr. Kitahara provides a model of education that views the individual with autism as a person who should be nurtured through education and relationships. Dr. Kitahara believed "within every living child exists the most precious bud of self-identity. To search this out and foster it with loving care; that is, the essence of education of the autistic child."
Dr. Kitahara believed that medication, as a behavioral intervention is incompatible with the methodology of Daily Life Therapy®. Daily Life Therapy is a holistic approach, which promotes learning and development through the creation of the bond between teacher and child, providing an environment of safety, and security in which learning can occur.
The basic tenets of Daily Life Therapy establish an implemented pattern of daily living, sufficient daily exercise for health and stamina, and intellectual stimulation. Together these activities help children focus attention, diffuse energy, feel calm and relaxed, and create a stimulating environment, which opens the doors for learning.
Medication for behavioral intervention, such as anxiety reduction or hyperactivity control, are incompatible with Daily Life Therapy because they interfere with the ability of children to learn to regulate themselves. Moreover, medications may have side effects that interfere with learning and the child’s growth and development, either immediately, or over a length of time. Medication can inhibit full participation in activities by reducing motivation to explore, and to participate in and enjoy activities, thereby reducing learning opportunities. In addition, medications used to treat behavioral symptoms in autism have not proven to be effective in the long term. We have found medication not necessary as children do develop self control in our program.
Therefore, the tenets of Daily Life Therapy reject the usage of medication as a behavioral intervention. The requirement for participation in Daily Life Therapy and continuing enrollment at the Boston Higashi School is that your child be free of any medication utilized as a behavioral intervention.
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