The Pilot Conducted in Several Kindergartens in Rishon LeZion Has Already Shown Impressive Results – HIBUKI - One Doll That Changes the Lives of Children on the Autism Spectrum

On Universal Children's Day: Meet the Calming Power of Hibuki, a Doll That Changes the Lives of Children on the Autism Spectrum.

Miki Alon – November 19, 2024, 11:03
Rishon Local Newspaper

Universal Children's Day, which falls on November 20, is dedicated entirely to the well-being of children around the world and serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing each child’s unique needs.

In a unique project by the "Adam" network, the Hibuki doll has been introduced into kindergartens for children on the autism spectrum, helping with adaptation, reducing anxiety, and improving daily functioning in communication-based kindergartens.

Adapting to a new kindergarten is a significant challenge for many children, especially for those on the autism spectrum. In an innovative initiative that began as a pilot in Rishon LeZion in kindergartens such as "Hopa Hey," "Michal & Michal," "Ginat HaBar," "Leruti Yesh Yom Huledet," and "Yesh Li Tzipor Ktana Balev," under the "Adam" network, approximately 35 children aged 3 to 6 have been introduced to the Hibuki doll since the beginning of the school year. The results are already remarkable.

The "Adam" network is a system of special education schools and communication-based kindergartens under the "Amal U'Maavar" group, spanning from northern Israel to the south. The network intends to establish more institutions in the coming years and expand its activities.

Hibuki, which has become Israel’s "national comfort doll" since the outbreak of the "Swords of Iron" war, is not just any doll. It is a therapeutic Israeli doll developed by Dr. Shai Hen Gal, the chief psychologist of the "Amal U'Maavar" group. Hibuki the puppy has long arms designed to create a hugging sensation, large sad eyes that reflect the child’s own emotions, and an overall comforting presence.

Hibuki helps children move away from a sense of helpless victimhood by creating an indirect therapeutic dialogue. Many children, especially those with communication difficulties, struggle to express their emotional world, and Hibuki serves as a bridge, allowing children to reflect their emotional state to their parents and to regulate and calm themselves.

Given Hibuki’s success in Israel and internationally, adaptations were made for children in special education kindergartens in Rishon LeZion. Just weeks before the school year began, Inbar Marom, head of emotional therapy at the "Adam" network, recognized the need for some modifications to the beloved doll. With guidance from Keren Yaakobi, head of the occupational therapy sector at the network, adjustments were made. Marom explained, “I reached out to a sewing workshop that quickly and generously made over 40 new Hibuki dolls, each with an added 700 grams of sand to give them more weight. Research and Yaakobi’s recommendations suggest that weighted objects help children with special needs, as they experience neurological imbalances that trigger anxiety, aggression, and stress.”

Parents of children with sensory processing difficulties understand how hard it can be to calm them when they are distressed. A weighted, soft doll like the newly adapted Hibuki has proven to be a highly effective therapeutic tool for providing a sense of security and calm.

A few days before the new school year, an early preparation process was conducted to emotionally connect the children with the doll and establish it as a source of security and support, especially during the critical transition into kindergarten.

Led by Meital Hassler, head of the speech therapy sector at the "Adam" network, the therapeutic and emotional staff in the kindergartens created a special story about Hibuki entering a new kindergarten and struggling with the transition. Additionally, Dr. Shai Hen Gal gave a lecture for the parents. Since then, whenever the team introduces a new topic to the children, they prepare a related story using Hibuki to help the children process and navigate challenges. Recently, a new story was created about Hibuki coping with air raid sirens and the current security situation, which is being implemented in kindergartens in northern Israel affected by the ongoing war.

The pilot conducted in several kindergartens in Rishon LeZion has already shown impressive results. “In one out of five kindergartens, it was an absolute breakthrough,” Marom shared. “One girl, who was in a complex emotional and behavioral state, barely spoke, and struggled to integrate, formed an exceptional bond with Hibuki. She asked for the doll every morning before leaving for kindergarten, which made her daily routine much calmer.”

According to Marom, “Hibuki has become a central and significant figure in the children's lives. The children include Hibuki in group activities, play with him in the yard, and even take him for rides on toy tractors. He is not just a therapeutic tool but an integral part of their social and emotional daily routine.”

The project is not stopping here. Under the guidance of Efrat Cohen, head of the behavioral analysis sector, Hibuki is becoming a key tool in helping children with toilet training, handling transitions, accepting changes, and increasing cooperation. One particularly touching story from the field involved a child who was toilet trained at the beginning of the year but later became anxious about using the bathroom at kindergarten. Marom recalled, “I took Hibuki and played with him, saying that Hibuki needed to go pee. The child immediately joined in and successfully used the toilet.”

The success of the project is being monitored through surveys sent to kindergarten staff, measuring factors such as adaptation to kindergarten, reduction in anxiety, and social integration. In two out of the five pilot kindergartens, significant improvements in adaptation have already been observed. The project's further development will continue under Efrat Cohen’s guidance.

With these promising initial results, there is great anticipation for the expansion of the project into more schools and kindergartens within the "Adam" network across the country. Hibuki, the therapeutic doll, continues to touch the hearts of children, parents, and professional teams alike.