A one-of-a-kind in the UK autism approach training course based on the TEACCH methodology has been run at Prior’s Court for the first time since before the Covid pandemic.

The UK’s only 5-Day hands-on TEACCH® classroom training course, led by a Clinical Director and a Clinical Associate Professor from the TEACCH® Autism Program, University of North Carolina, was held at Prior’s Court from February 24 to 28.

A total of 24 delegates, including 11 Prior’s Court staff members, attended the course led by Jenny Eigenrauch and Lisa Guy, from the University of North Carolina, and UK-based TEACCH Advanced Consultants, including Prior’s Court’s own Sue Piper and Ruth Over.

TEACCH® is an evidence-based approach to learning, world-renowned for its effectiveness in supporting autistic people.  It is at the very heart of our approach and we have strong links with the University of North Carolina where TEACCH® originated. The TEACCH® programme aims to enable autistic people with complex needs to function as meaningfully and as independently as possible in the community.

The 5-day hands-on TEACCH® classroom training is a broad-based, intensive course for parents and professionals working with autistic individuals. Four of the autistic young people with learning disabilities and complex needs we support assisted with the course as Co-Trainers. 

Sue, our Director of Learning, said: “We were thrilled to be able to host this 5-day course for the first time since October 2019. We’re incredibly grateful to our colleagues from the TEACCH® Autism Program for sharing their knowledge and expertise with the delegates.

"The feedback from those delegates has been fantastic. For our own staff, they will be able to share this knowledge with their colleagues. And for those external delegates, I'm thrilled that they will be helping more autistic young people live more independent lives.

“What makes this course so special is the involvement of young people from Prior’s Court as we have so much to learn from them about their independence, problem-solving abilities and how they overcome the challenges they face each and every day. A huge thank you to Lyla, Daniel, Alfie and Ethan for their time and efforts with the course."

An exceptional number of our staff are TEACCH-trained, while two Prior's Court staff are TEACCH Certified Advanced Consultants (around 20% of the UK's total TEACCH Certified Advanced Consultants). Gill Matthews and Katy Morris, the remaining three TEACCH Advanced Consultants who led this course, alongside Sue and Ruth, are also former Prior's Court staff members.

Ruth, our Autism Practice and Development Lead, added: “We are committed to sharing our autism experience and expertise with other professionals, parents and anyone wanting to learn more about supporting autistic young people with complex needs as the more people who have these skills, the more young people who will benefit.”

Prior's Court will be holding more Structured Teaching courses over the coming year. Dates are to be confirmed.

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