My ASD Child

“Are you familiar with the TEACCH method for helping younger students on the autism spectrum? How does it work, and can it really help these ‘special needs’ students?” Let's first look at the basic principles of TEACCH. They include the following: 1. physical structure refers to the child’s immediate surroundings; daily activities (e.g., playing and eating) work best when they are clearly defined by physical boundaries 2. having a consistent schedule is possible through various mediums (e.g., drawings and photographs) 3. the work system establishes expectations and activity measurements that promote independence (ideal work systems will communicate objectives with minimum written instructions) 4. routine is essential because the most important functional support for kids on the autism spectrum is consistency 5. visual structure involves visually-based cues for reminders and instruction The TEACCH method emphasizes structure and has come to be called “structured teac