Are there any ASD units that don't do TEACCH?

[adrianna22]

Hi, looking to look at as many units/SS schools for DS.

The majority of the ASD units do TEACCH and looking for others that do different approaches.

Thanks

I could be mistaken but I believe the Pear Tree Unit (aba) in Teddington, SW London, is the only non-teacch asd unit, in England at least.

I'm pretty sure all asd special schools are teacch too (even if they say they are 'eclectic'). The only real alternative is an aba school

What Vera said

An ABA ASD unit just isnt on offer except PearTree

Why do most ASD specialist schools use the TEACCH approach???? When there's not a lot of information and research about TEACHH. I find that odd.

Thanks for the school recommendations.

I think because it's cheaper?

I went on a TEACCH course and use it at home with my children. I found it very useful as it can be adapted across the spectrum. I have a dx AS, and I think that I have naturally used this methods throughout my life (although going on the course has given me more tips ), without knowing it! The idea with it is to help the child become independent by teaching him/her to use his strengths to compensate for his difficulties. You start by using a lot of prompt but as the child grows, the idea is that he/she can then use it independently and throughout his life. I don't know anything about ABA, so I can't tell you why they choose TEACHH over it. I can see why they would use it in a unit within a mainstream school, because it can be used very discreetly and adapted when children are using the mainstream, if this makes any sense (it is also very low cost!). I also want to add that I do not think that one method is better than the other, but I do think the method should be chosen to fit the child's needs (whatever works ).

You start by using a lot of prompt but as the child grows, the idea is that he/she can then use it independently and throughout his life.

Is this different to what happens normally?

jason what do you mean by normally, do you mean with typical children?

sorry I'm having trouble explaining but yes, i think That's what i mean.

I don't think anyone would argue that a teacch approach isn't very successful with some children.

It's just that there is little to no choice in this country. Teacch is the default teaching system for all asd kids, and it certainly doesn't suit all of them.

jason then I think so ideally but I suppose the strength and weaknesses of people on the spectrum can be different to "typical" people hence the need for a different approach.

vera I suppose TEACCH mainly means that the person strength would lay in the need for structure and would also mean that they have the ability to eventually draw they own schedule,which might be a strength of some people on the spectrum, but of course not everybody! So I can see why it might not work for everybody (everybody is different even on the spectrum '. The method chosen really depend on the person, we were advised to use TEACCH and it works for us. ( I have also seen TEACCH applied badly, which could be why it sometimes doesn't work where it could!).

If TEACCH works best for the child then that's fine.

I just find it highly structured for DS. The over use of visuals will over stimulate him.

It is a default system used by many ASD specialist schools, but looking for others that use a different approach.