Information on TEACCH, Autism and Aspergers syndreome - common Autism Spectrum Disorders
 
 

TEACCH

TEACCH stands for the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communications Handicapped Children. The program began in 1972 at the University of North Carolina, USA. TEACCH aims at a 'whole life' approach in supporting children, adolescents, and adults with Autism through the provision of visual information, structure, and predictability. There is an emphasis on a continuum of care so where services are available, it is possible for an individual with an Autism Spectrum Disorder to be supported from two years of age into adulthood.

 

TEACCH begins with a Psycho Educational Profile to assess a child's abilities before an individualized education program is developed. The main focus of TEACCH is using education to improve communication skills and autonomy. Educational programs are being revised frequently, according to the child's maturation and progress, since there are no good predictors of child evolution, and early assessment could prove misleading.

 

The environment is structured to foster skill development and independence, with clear physical and visual boundaries set to help children understand what they are expected to do in each area. One to one support is available to children as they learn new skills.

 

What does the research say about TEACCH?

TEACCH has been running for several decades and a range of studies indicates that it is an effective intervention for Autism, although the studies did not meet all the criteria to qualify TEACCH unreservedly as an evidence-based treatment (Ozonoff & Cathcart, 1998) (Panerai, Ferrante, and Zingale 2002).

 

Concerns have been raised about the influence on intervention outcomes from staff member skills and experience (Howlin 1997) and other researchers suggested the need for more controlled, larger systematic studies conducted independently on TEACCH programs (Jordan et al 1998).

 

Button for fact sheet on TEACCH, an intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders

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This autism fact sheet is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation. It is derivative of an Autism and Asperger's syndrome-related articles at http://en.wikipedia.org

     
   
TEACCH stands for the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communications Handicapped Children.