People with autism tend to be visual learners, and visual means of communication can help them to understand and use the process of communication - thus encouraging the development of spoken language and of appropriate social communication. Temple Grandin (an American animal scientist who has autism) describes how she thinks in pictures and how words are like a second language for her (Grandin, 1995). Visual thinkers can be helped by visual support and the TEACCH approach encourages the use of visual structure to reduce stress and promote learning for people with autism by making their environment more easily understood. Visual aids can help people with autism to make sense of the world and of other people, including the process of communication.
Division TEACCH serves as an International model for delivering exemplary services to people with autism and their families throughout North Carolina. Operating with 6 Regional Centres, TEACCH provides diagnostic evaluation, individualised curriculum development, social skills training, vocational training, and parent counselling and training. In addition, TEACCH clinic staff provide consultation to classrooms, Group Homes, and other community agencies responsible for the welfare of handicapped children. School-age children attend public school programmes in the many TEACCH-affiliated school systems around the state. Other receive residential or vocational services from community agencies closely tied to the TEACCH programme.
