Special education versus inclusive education: the role of the TEACCH program.
Our study aimed at comparing, over a period of 3 years, the effectiveness of three different educational approaches addressed to children with autism and severe mental retardation. The first one was a treatment and education of autistic and related communication handicapped children (TEACCH) program implemented in a residential center; the second was a TEACCH program implemented at home and at mainstream schools, after a specific parent psychoeducational training; the third approach referred to inclusive education in mainstream schools, in which a nonspecific approach was implemented. Each subject was assessed twice, using the Psycho-Educational Profile-Revised (PEP-R) and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS)-survey form. Effectiveness of TEACCH appeared to be confirmed, showing positive outcomes in the natural setting, and revealing its inclusive value.
Panerai
Simonetta
S
IRCCS Oasi Maria SS, via Conte Ruggero 73, Troina 94018, EN, Italy. spanerai@oasi.en.it
Zingale
Marinella
M
Trubia
Grazia
G
Finocchiaro
Maria
M
Zuccarello
Rosa
R
Ferri
Raffaele
R
Elia
Maurizio
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition; D003142:Communication; D004519:Education, Special / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007100:Imitative Behavior; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007558:Italy; D008282:Mainstreaming, Education; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education*; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012919:Social Behavior; D016896:Treatment Outcome