4 TEACCH

TEACCH is the acronym for the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children. The approach was introduced in the 1970s when the term ‘handicapped’ was not deemed unacceptable as it is now. TEACCH has been effectively used in many countries since then and is recommended by the NAS and the Autism Society of America (ASA). It is a ‘whole person’ approach in that it aims to support many aspects of functioning, including learning, behaviour, social and communication needs, and may be used across different settings (at home, school, in respite services and other locations) as well as across the person's lifespan. It can also be successfully adapted for more intellectually able individuals, and used in adult settings.