Group homes in North Carolina for children and adults with autism.

The paper gives a walk-through of TEACCH group homes across North Carolina. It shows how rooms, daily schedules, and staff training line up with autism needs.

No trials or numbers are reported. The author simply maps out why these homes exist and claims they save money while keeping quality.

The review calls the homes "viable and cost-effective" for autistic children and adults. It lists features like clear visual cues, small staff ratios, and weekend respite.

No data tables or stats are given. The piece reads more like a program brochure than a research test.

Benderix et al. (2006) extends this picture by following one family two years after placement. Parents first felt grief, then relief, but guilt never fully left.

McClannahan et al. (1990) sounds a warning from the same year: most NC group homes are built for general ID, not autism, so gaps in sensory supports and communication are common. Together the two 1990 papers do not contradict; Wall (1990) shows what CAN work while McClannahan et al. (1990) shows what USUALLY fails without autism-specific design.

Lerner et al. (2012) later tested mixing autistic and non-autistic adults in staffed houses and found no drop in adaptive skills, hinting that diagnostic grouping may matter less than good staff training.

If you write IEP transition plans or approve residential funding, ask for TEACCH-style features: structured spaces, visual schedules, and autism-trained staff. The model is old, but later studies keep showing the same needs. Use the list as a checklist during site visits or when designing new homes.