The TEACCH Method for Individuals with Autism
August 12, 2009 by Abby
Filed under Individuals With Autism
Many families of individuals with autism want to know more about the TEACCH Method and wonder whether or not they should use it with their child. Today I found a very clear explanation of the five basic tenets upon which the TEACCH Method is built:
“Structured teaching via the TEACCH method was developed by Professor Eric Schopler and many of his colleagues at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The TEACCH method is not considered an actual therapy but rather a therapeutic tool to help autistic individuals understand their surroundings.
Autistic individuals often have difficulty with receptive and expressive language, sequential memory, and handling changes in their environment. The TEACCH method provides the individual with structure and organization. This method relies on five basic principles; a brief description of each is provided below.
Physical structure
Physical structure refers to the actual layout or surroundings of a person’s environment, such as a classroom, home, or group home. The physical boundaries are clearly defined and usually include activities like: work, play, snack, music, and transitioning.
Scheduling
A schedule or planner is set up which indicates what the person is supposed to do and when it is supposed to happen. The person’s entire day, week, and possibly month, are clearly shown to the person through words, photographs, drawings, or whatever medium is easiest for the person to comprehend.
Work system
The work system tells the person what is expected of him/her during an activity, how much is supposed to be accomplished, and what happens after the activity is completed. The goal is to teach the person to work independently. The work system is also organized in such a way that the person has little or no difficulty figuring out what to do. For example, the activity or task should be performed from top to bottom and from left to right.
Routine
According to the TEACCH method, the most functional skill for autistic individuals is a routine which involves checking one’s schedule and following the established work system. This routine can then be used throughout the person’s lifetime and in multiple situations.
Visual structure
Visual structure refers to visually-based cues regarding organization, clarification, and instructions to assist the person in understanding what is expected of him/her. For example, a visual structure may involve using colored containers to assist the person in sorting colored materials into various groups or displaying an example of a stamped envelope when the person is asked to place stamps on envelopes.
The TEACCH method is primarily used to assist the autistic individual in better understanding his/her environment. The techniques described above are not faded out over time; but rather, they are to be consistently used across a variety of environments.”
Written by:
Stephen Edelson, Ph.D.
The five basic elements of TEACCH (physical structure, scheduling, work systems, routine and visual structure) seems pretty clear and they make sense. Individuals with autism, just like everyone else, need structure and routine in their lives to help them be maximally productive. The major problem, I’ve noticed, with this method, however, is in the implementation. More specifically the tasks that individuals complete and the environments in which they work. In this day and age, I believe that more emphasis needs to be placed on making sure people with autism are learning skills they can apply in their communities.
We’re way beyond sheltered workshops in which people with autism simply sort and assemble. There needs to be more focus on helping them develop job skills, independence skills, leisure skills, safety skills and communication. When applied correctly, with forethought given to what skills the individual needs to be successful in the future – in their job and in their personal life (i.e. goals derived from person centered planning), a plan can be created which may include using the TEACCH method to help them gain the independence skills necessary to be successful. This, however, should not be the only method used in a person’s program because it doesn’t encompass ALL skills necessary for independent functioning and living.
Structure and routine, which are the main components of TEACCH, are important and are helpful when teaching independent skills. There is, however, much more to life than structure and routine. As we all know, our lives are much more than our jobs and we would not be successful if we did not have other skills besides independent work skills. It is our job as educators and parents to make sure that the programs our children take part in are well-rounded and individualized so potential can be maximized.
Please comment on this post regarding the following:
1. Do you have experience with the TEACCH method? Share your experiences and opinions here.
2. What skills do you, as an individual with autism, teacher or parent, think are important for people to have as they grow up and enter the “real world”?
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