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).
Click here for the full
range of Asperger's and Autism fact sheets at www.autism-help.org
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 |
