Treatment and education of autistic and related communication handicapped children

Treatment and education of autistic and related communication handicapped children (TEACCH) is an evidence-based service, training, and research program for individuals of all ages and skill levels with autism spectrum disorders. Founded in 1966 by Eric Schopler at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, TEACCH provides training and services geared to helping autistic children and their families cope with the condition. With over 40 years of experience of working with autistic people, TEACCH methodology continues to evolve, refining its approach. TEACCH runs conferences in North Carolina and organizes programs throughout the USA and in the UK. [http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=297&a=3630 TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication handicapped CHildren).] National Autistic Society. Retrieved on 2007-11-16.] [cite book |author= Mesibov GB, Shea V, Schopler E |date=2004 |title= The TEACCH Approach to Autism Spectrum Disorders |publisher=Springer |isbn=0-306-48646-6]

Research

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 evidence based practice. [cite journal |author=Ozonoff S, Cathcart K |title=Effectiveness of a home program intervention for young children with autism |journal=Journal of autism and developmental disorders |volume=28 |issue=1 |pages=25–32 |year=1998 |pmid=9546299|doi=10.1023/A:1026006818310] [cite journal |author=Panerai S, Ferrante L, Zingale M |title=Benefits of the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH) programme as compared with a non-specific approach |journal=Journal of intellectual disability research : JIDR |volume=46 |issue=Pt 4 |pages=318–27 |year=2002 |pmid=12000583 |doi=]

Concerns have been raised about the influence on intervention outcomes from staff member skills and experience. [cite journal |author=Howlin P |title=Prognosis in autism: do specialist treatments affect long-term outcome? |journal=European child & adolescent psychiatry |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=55–72 |year=1997 |pmid=9257087 |doi=]

References

External links

* [http://www.teacch.com/ The program web site at University of North Carolina]
* [http://www.vaporia.com/autism/papers/TEACCHN.htm A basic overview of TEACCH by Paul Trehin of Autisme France]