Track Overview
The TEACCH Autism Program is a comprehensive community-based clinical service and professional training program that is dedicated to providing support to autistic people and their families across their entire lifespan. As the largest and most extensive statewide program for autism in the nation, we employ an integrated approach that considers the individual's school, work, and home settings, utilizing multiple evidence-based methods. Our services encompass diagnostic and treatment centers situated throughout North Carolina, a demonstration residential and vocational center for adults, and an active employment services program.
Within our clinics, we offer evidence-based interventions for autistic people of all age groups. We provide individual and group parent coaching for toddler and school-aged children, along with individual and group intervention and support for autistic adults. Additionally, we organize parent support groups and deliver training and consultation services to teachers and other professionals.
During the internship, the TEACCH intern will dedicate approximately half of their time throughout the year to working within TEACCH services. To ensure a well-rounded training experience, the intern will also rotate though the Pediatric Consultation/Liaison service.
During their time at the Chapel Hill TEACCH Center, the TEACCH intern will actively contribute as a member of diagnostic teams, gaining proficiency in all aspects of the diagnostic process across different age groups and often working with individuals who present with complex diagnostic challenges. In line with their individualized training goals, the intern will also be involved in various evidence-based intervention activities. These activities may include the implementation of visual strategies/support (Structured TEACCHing), behavioral interventions, naturalistic interventions, cognitive behavioral interventions, social skills interventions, and community support programs. Interns can also get involved in clinical research. The TEACCH intern will have opportunities to fulfill requirements necessary to become and TEACCH Certified practitioner and can work toward ADOS research reliability during their internship year.
Program Coordinator
Supervisors
APPIC Program Code
Clinical Rotations
The Chapel Hill TEACCH Center offers diagnostic evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults suspected of having an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who have not yet received a formal diagnosis. The evaluation process includes caregiver interviews, questionnaires, a review of the individual’s medical, social, academic, and developmental history, and direct testing with the individual. State-of-the-art, evidence-based assessment tools are used, typically including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule – 2nd Edition (ADOS-2) and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale – 2nd Edition (CARS2).
For children, the evaluation results are shared with parents during an interpretive conference, usually held at the conclusion of the diagnostic day. Parents of adults undergoing evaluation at TEACCH are invited to attend the conference at their adult child’s request. A personalized, written evaluation report with detailed recommendations and resources is then sent to the family or the individual, if an adult.
Additionally, the TEACCH intern will have the opportunity to gain research reliability in administering ADOS-2 modules 1-4 (with the toddler module possibly available) under the guidance of an ADOS-2 certified trainer at the clinic.
Supervisors: Tamara Dawkins, PhD; Signe Naftel, PhD; Grace Lee Simmons, PhD; Mary E Van Bourgondien, PhD
The TEACCH intern will be involved in parent-child coaching sessions conducted with individual families and small groups. Interested interns can also enhance their therapy skills within our comprehensive early intervention programs. The TEACCH intern will have the option to co-facilitate cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)-based groups. These groups are tailored for autistic school-aged children and their parents, focusing on fostering social understanding, social communication, and emotional regulation skills (e.g., Gorilla Group), or targeting anxiety awareness and reduction (e.g., Facing Your Fears). As TEACCH emphasizes providing services across the lifespan, interns will have ample opportunities to gain experience working with autistic adolescents and adults, both in individual therapy and group formats. This may include involvement in a dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) group designed specifically for autistic adults.
Our team also includes a therapist certified in trauma-focused CBT, and exposure to this model may be available when appropriate cases are referred. Additionally, interns can participate in parent support groups, attend training workshops designed for parents and professionals, and engage in consultation activities with other professionals.
Please visit our website for a complete list of services offered at the Chapel Hill TEACCH Center: https://teacch.com/regional-centers/chapel-hill-teacch-center/
Supervisors: Tamara Dawkins, PhD; Suzi Pietroluongo, LCSW
The CLLC offers an integrated vocational and residential program for autistic adults with higher support needs (requiring 24/7 care). The team includes two psychologists: the clinical director and a psychology consultant. The residents, aged 30 to 65, are all on the autism spectrum, with most also experiencing co-occurring intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and many having additional mental health diagnoses such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, or OCD. Behavioral principles are used to promote positive behaviors based on data collected by Direct Support Professionals. Residents who are able to engage are provided psychoeducation or adapted cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to address social-emotional concerns. Prevention strategies are primarily informed by the Structured TEACCHing methodology. The intern will support the clinical director and/or the psychology consultant by analyzing behavioral data, assessing progress toward behavioral goals, and providing recommendations for ongoing interventions. Depending on their interests, the intern may also participate in cognitive and adaptive behavior assessments to ensure residents remain eligible for services. Additionally, the intern may be involved in delivering psychoeducation or modified CBT to individual residents. Finally, the intern will assist with the preparation of annual progress reports and formal behavioral support plans, working with varying levels of independence based on their current skillset and future goals.
Supervisor: Jemma Grindstaff, PhD
Interns will join a TEACCH psychologist at the UNC Feeding Clinic on a weekly basis. Interns will participate in the assessment of behavioral features of pediatric feeding disorders in autistic patients between the ages of 2-12 years and assist in providing behavioral recommendations at the end of each appointment. Interns will also be involved in the provision of individual behavioral feeding therapy for clients for 6-8 weeks. Therapy includes working one-on-one with the client and involves Structured TEACCHing and parent coaching components.
Supervisor: Carmen Caruthers, PhD
The TEACCH for Toddlers program serves autistic children between the ages of 1- 4 years and their families. This comprehensive model incorporates naturalistic, structured, and behavioral strategies. Sessions include activities focused on promoting social engagement, communication, and play skills, as well as sensory social routines embedded in unstructured play and typical daily routines. Treatment goals cover a variety of developmental skills (communication, social, play) and adaptive behaviors. Interns have the opportunity to assist with the initial assessment and creation of the treatment plan, and to provide direct intervention as well as parent coaching to develop parent’s understanding and implementation of strategies to target the identified goals.
Parent coaching is provided to develop parents’ understanding and implementation of strategies to target child’s goals.
Supervisors: Carmen Caruthers, PhD; Katy Korelitz, PhD
The Medical Evaluation Clinic (MEC) is part of the TEACCH statewide network. The intern will be part of a diagnostic team that includes Dr. Joseph Piven, a psychiatrist; Dr. Heather Hazlett, a psychologist; Linda Varblow, a TEACCH Autism Specialist; and a Psychiatry Fellow. The clinic provides diagnostic evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults referred by TEACCH clinics across the state, particularly in cases involving complex genetic or medical conditions, or when a prior mental health or developmental diagnosis complicates the clinical picture. The MEC offers experience in complex differential diagnosis within a medical model, conducting assessments and delivering diagnostic conclusions within a three-hour clinic visit. The TEACCH intern may choose be part of this clinic in their second semester.
Supervisors: Heather Hazlett, PhD; Linda Varblow, MS, MPH
Our research team at TEACCH consists of a collaborative and diverse group of researchers and students from the School of Medicine and the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience. We are dedicated to advancing the quality of life for autistic individuals through our primary focus on community dissemination and implementation of intervention programs. Additionally, we place great importance on professional development initiatives. As an intern, you will have the opportunity to actively contribute to ongoing research projects across various areas. These encompass early intervention programs like TEACCH for Toddlers, transition programs such as the TEACCH School Transition to Employment and Postsecondary Education Program, suicide prevention efforts, and longitudinal outcome studies. These examples represent only a glimpse of the diverse range of research projects available, as our team actively pursues additional grants and research initiatives.
Supervisors: Laura Klinger, PhD; Grace Lee Simmons, PhD
This program aims to teach the diagnosis and management of developmental, psychological, and social issues in children, particularly those caused by chronic or acute illnesses. To that end, the faculty has established on-going consultation-liaison relationships in various pediatric settings, including pediatric and adolescent inpatient hospital wards, the pediatric intensive care unit, and the burn unit. Interns may also participate in outpatient clinics depending on inpatient service demand. Key experiences include assessing safety in teens after suicide attempts, evaluating trauma symptoms in children with burn injuries or accidents, and treating children with chronic illness-related adjustment difficulties. Interns are responsible for case management, synthesizing diagnostic material, and collaborating with the healthcare team. Supervision occurs both on-site and through regular weekly meetings, with objectives include gaining experience in diagnosing and treating children with functional or organic disorders, understanding psychological factors in chronic illness, and learning consultation-liaison practices in pediatric settings.
Supervisors: Joni McKeeman, PhD
Additional Track Opportunities
Workshops are offered throughout the year to enhance the intern’s knowledge and skills in assessment and intervention for ASD. The “Childhood Autism Rating Scale – High Functioning (CARS2-HF) and DSM V: Assessing the Full spectrum of ASD” workshop is offered virtually over three sessions and open to all interested interns. Participation in other TEACCH workshops, including our virtual Fundamentals of Structured TEACCHing or Five-Day Classroom Training are also options for the TEACCH intern or other interns who complete a rotation at TEACCH. General didactics are offered to trainees on a weekly basis and are tailored to their learning needs.
The TEACCH intern receives ongoing supervision and mentorship towards professional development throughout the year. Goals in the areas of training and professional development are set at the beginning of each rotation, and progress toward the goals is monitored during the rotation. Professional development goals may include participation in research activities, attending a professional workshop, supervision of students, or giving a research talk. The TEACCH Intern also has the option of completing the necessary requirements to become a TEACCH Certified Practitioner or to obtain research reliability on the ADOS-2 during their internship year.
As an intern, you will have the opportunity to actively contribute to ongoing research projects across various areas. To explore the current research projects at TEACCH in detail, please visit our website at https://teacch.com/research/. During the internship orientation week, you will receive an up-to-date list of available projects, providing you with a comprehensive overview of the exciting research possibilities that await you.
Interns at TEACCH may have opportunities to supervise practicum-level students from clinical and school psychology. Opportunities to provide education and training to students from other disciplines including social work, occupational therapy, speech and language, and education are also possible.
