Structured Teaching Model

as developed by the University of North Carolina, Division TEACCH

Structured teaching is an intervention philosophy developed by the University of North Carolina, Division TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped Children). In the early 1970's, Eric Schopler established the foundation for structured teaching in his doctoral dissertation by demonstrating that people with autism process visual information more easily than verbal information.

Structured teaching is based upon an understanding of the unique features and characteristics associated with autism spectrum disorders. It describes the conditions under which a person should be taught rather than “where” or “what”. Structured teaching is a system for organizing the child’s environment, developing appropriate activities, and helping people with autism understand what is expected of them. It allows them the opportunity to function within an environment in a meaningful way. Visual cues allow the child with autism to focus on the relevant information in their environment. By using visual cues, structured teaching provides the foundation with which visual cues and other supports are utilized to maximize the potential of the child to independently navigate in a sometimes confusing world filled with non-relevant information. Structured teaching also addresses behaviors by proactively implementing supports appropriate to the specific needs of each individual child thus decreasing anxiety and frustration which is often times experienced by children with autism.

Although the Structured Teaching model was developed to use with children with autism, it has also proven effective for other children with developmental disabilities. Once implemented, a structured classroom functions to support each student individually based on their unique needs. The Heartspring consultation team can provide one, three, and five day trainings on the Structured Teaching Model for parents, classroom teachers, schools and support teams. Heartspring consultants have the highest level of training through the University of North Carolina, Division TEACCH. This means a Heartspring consultant is ready to provide the training you need to effectively establish an appropriate learning environment for your child or student.

For more information on Structured Teaching please visit TEACCH.com.