TEACCH Autism Program at UNC
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Unique Plan
The Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication-Handicapped Children (TEACCH) method was developed to assist individuals on the autism spectrum.
There are many different autism therapies available with applied behavior analysis (ABA) being the most popular. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers a unique program to citizens of North Carolina on the autism spectrum, the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication-Handicapped Children (TEACCH).
History of TEACCH
TEACCH was created in the 1970s by the then UNC professor of psychiatry and psychology, Eric Schopler. According to the Schopler blog, “In an era when parents were blamed for causing what was felt to be a psychological problem, Eric was one of the first to use empirical research to establish the true, neurological basis of autism and its effective treatment--treatment that included parents as co-therapists.” Schopler passed away in 2006 but his legacy lives on through the TEACCH regional centers located throughout the state of North Carolina.
TEACCH Approach
TEACCH looks at the “culture of autism” and works with individuals from a developmental standpoint. A unique part of the TEACCH method is that in addition to developmental concerns, this approach also addresses self-dignity, self-efficacy, and self-confidence issues. TEACCH is appropriate for individuals of all ages on the autism spectrum as well as people of all intelligence levels with an ASD.
From the UNC School of Medicine’s TEACCH website, “The TEACCH approach is a family-centered, evidence-based practice for autism, based on a theoretical conceptualization of autism, supported by empirical research, enriched by extensive clinical expertise, and notable for its flexible and person-centered support of individuals of all ages and skill levels.”
Regional Centers
Many parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder move to North Carolina for the fantastic services provided through the nine TEACCH Regional Centers. Locations in Asheville, Chapel Hill, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Gastonia, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh, and Wilmington provide services that range from early intervention to supported employment.
In addition to the nine regional centers, TEACCH also runs a vocational and residential program for adults with autism. The Carolina Living and Learning Center (CLLC) is located outside of Pittsboro, North Carolina and provides services for 15 adults.
Contact Information
For more information on the TEACCH program, including information on the regional center offerings, contact the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s program at (919) 966-2174.
TEACCH’s unique approach to addressing the needs of individuals with an autism spectrum disorder is based on years of research. Although not as widely-known as other autism treatment programs, TEACCH has a long standing history of success.
Soucres:
Eric Schopler blog
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
