Eric Schopler
Encyclopedia
Eric Schopler was an American
psychologist
whose pioneering research into autism
led to the foundation of the TEACCH program.
, Germany
. He grew up during the rise of Adolf Hitler
and the subsequent persecution of the Jews. As a child he became aware of Jewish friends and teachers disappearing; these early experiences sparked in him the desire to find out why certain individuals and groups are scapegoated by others. In the late 1930's his family decided to leave Germany and emigrated to the U.S.
, where they settled in Rochester, New York
.
. While enlisted he attained a graduate degree in Social Service Administration, and after leaving the army he earned a PhD
in clinical child psychology
at the University of Chicago
. He joined the faculty of the Psychiatry department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
. In collaboration with Dr. Robert Reicher, he applied his earlier research on receptor processes to the treatment of autism. Funding was provided by the National Institute of Mental Health
and trials were conducted with autistic children and their parents. The outcome of these trials was the creation of the TEACCH program (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children).
The early TEACCH program started 1966 and lead to many advances in knowledge about autism. Schopler showed that most autistic children did not suffer from mental disorders, as was believed by many at the time. He also proved that parents of autistic children could be effective collaborators in the treatment and education of their children. This reversed the prevalent belief by parents that the illness was psychosomatic. Thanks to these TEACCH results, in 1972 Schopler's methods were rolled out statewide in North Carolina schools and special state-funded clinics.
Eric Schopler was editor for Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
from 1974 till 1997.
In 1993 Schopler received the North Carolina Award
for public service.
In 1994 Schopler's psychiatric colleagues officially recognized the TEACCH program, when it was included in the Manual of Mental Disorders (Treatment Volume 4th edition). Nine TEACCH state funded clinics still operate in North Carolina, and have influenced the treatment of autism worldwide.
In August 2006, Schopler was to have received the American Psychological Foundation's Gold Medal for Life Achievement in the Application of Psychology. http://www.unchealthcare.org/site/newsroom/news/2006/Apr/schopler
Eric Schopler died at the age of 79 from cancer
at his home near Mebane. http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-passings10.1jul10,1,1261576.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
psychologist
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
whose pioneering research into autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
led to the foundation of the TEACCH program.
Early life
Schopler was born of Jewish parents in FürthFürth
The city of Fürth is located in northern Bavaria, Germany in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. It is now contiguous with the larger city of Nuremberg, the centres of the two cities being only 7 km apart....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. He grew up during the rise of Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
and the subsequent persecution of the Jews. As a child he became aware of Jewish friends and teachers disappearing; these early experiences sparked in him the desire to find out why certain individuals and groups are scapegoated by others. In the late 1930's his family decided to leave Germany and emigrated to the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where they settled in Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
.
Career
After graduating from high school, Schopler joined the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. While enlisted he attained a graduate degree in Social Service Administration, and after leaving the army he earned a PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in clinical child psychology
Developmental psychology
Developmental psychology, also known as human development, is the scientific study of systematic psychological changes, emotional changes, and perception changes that occur in human beings over the course of their life span. Originally concerned with infants and children, the field has expanded to...
at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
. He joined the faculty of the Psychiatry department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
. In collaboration with Dr. Robert Reicher, he applied his earlier research on receptor processes to the treatment of autism. Funding was provided by the National Institute of Mental Health
National Institute of Mental Health
The National Institute of Mental Health is one of 27 institutes and centers that make up the National Institutes of Health...
and trials were conducted with autistic children and their parents. The outcome of these trials was the creation of the TEACCH program (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children).
The early TEACCH program started 1966 and lead to many advances in knowledge about autism. Schopler showed that most autistic children did not suffer from mental disorders, as was believed by many at the time. He also proved that parents of autistic children could be effective collaborators in the treatment and education of their children. This reversed the prevalent belief by parents that the illness was psychosomatic. Thanks to these TEACCH results, in 1972 Schopler's methods were rolled out statewide in North Carolina schools and special state-funded clinics.
Eric Schopler was editor for Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders publishes 10 issues per year and is a scholarly journal focusing on all aspects of autism spectrum disorders and related developmental disabilities....
from 1974 till 1997.
In 1993 Schopler received the North Carolina Award
North Carolina Award
The North Carolina Award is the highest civilian award bestowed by the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is awarded in the four fields of science, literature, the fine arts, and public service....
for public service.
In 1994 Schopler's psychiatric colleagues officially recognized the TEACCH program, when it was included in the Manual of Mental Disorders (Treatment Volume 4th edition). Nine TEACCH state funded clinics still operate in North Carolina, and have influenced the treatment of autism worldwide.
In August 2006, Schopler was to have received the American Psychological Foundation's Gold Medal for Life Achievement in the Application of Psychology. http://www.unchealthcare.org/site/newsroom/news/2006/Apr/schopler
Eric Schopler died at the age of 79 from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
at his home near Mebane. http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-passings10.1jul10,1,1261576.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california