TEACCH
Alderwood's services promote a TEACCH approach in all aspects of care and education. TEACCH stands for the Treatment and Education for Autistic and related Communication handicapped CHildren. It is a well established programme developed over 20 years ago at Division TEACCH, North Carolina University, USA. The approach is based on several key principles, including the appropriation of strengths seen in the autistic culture, such as attention to visual details. In order to help individuals with Autism the TEACCH approach encourages the use of visual communication to promote understanding in areas such as self care, educational, vocational and recreational skills.
TEACCH provides a structured approach through the use of visual methods to enable effective communication, reducing anxieties and improving choice and coping strategies. All activities take place through the 'schedule' system thus creating a highly structured day. The resident will always be able to see the forthcoming activities and their order, thus reducing stress. The structure however retains flexibility and offers a way of introducing changes to routines whilst being responsive to clients' current behaviour and interests. The visual systems are always individualised to meet the needs of the particular child or young adult and are continually monitored and assessed to maintain their effectiveness. All Alderwood staff receive training in the use of TEACCH.