GRADUATE SCHOOL

Master of Arts in Special Education (MAS)

SPECIAL EDUCATION

REACTION PAPER

Name: Vicente, Vince Irvin R.

Subject Code: MAS-207
Subject Title: Methods & Techniques in Teaching Special Education (w/ Emphasis on
Classroom Mgt. Func'l Assess. & Applied Behavioral Analysis
Date Submitted: November 5, 2020
Title: Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

A. Summary

The Picture Exchange Communication System, or PECS, allows individuals with

little to zero communication abilities to communicate using pictures. In exchange for that
item, individuals using PECS are taught to move toward another individual and give them
a picture of the desired item.

The communication system used in Autism Treatment for Picture Exchange. It can be
an invaluable resource to use the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). Dr.
Andy S. Bondy and Lori Frost created PECS in 1985 for preverbal or nonverbal
youngsters. For kids who express strong preferences and a desire to communicate, it is
perfect. PECS is normally used with people who are nonverbal. The main research center
is the Indiana Resource Center for Autism (IRCA). It says that for people with limited
speech, PECS is also useful. Youngsters who are echolalic or have unintelligible speech
are good PECS users. For young people who have a small set of meaningful words
(Indiana Institute on Disability and Community), it is also appropriate. For kids with
mobility impairments, it is also a possible choice.

PECS is a collection of image cards which can be used by a child to convey a

message. To form sentences, make requests, or have discussions, the cards combine.

PECS complements the visual learning style of most youngsters with autism.
 In six stages, kids learn PECS. In the first stage, they get a few simple cards. He/she
gets more cards with prominent visual complexity, as the younger experts PECS. The
cards should represent different needs, wants, locations, foods, play, or emotions. Place
them where they can be accessed by your children.

B. Reflection

If a child has autism and has issues with communication, is sign language best or
using Picture Exchange Communication System better? My answer is absolutely YES!

If a child takes to a particular way of communicating, it is usually a good idea to

develop that as it will overcome a lot of frustration on all sides.

Of course, it is still worth exposing children with autism to other forms of

communication such as:
1. They often learn at different rates and not necessarily in the linear way you might
expect from a neurotypical child

2. They may well have greater receptive than expressive language skills (they
understand more language than they use).

It is also worth being aware that this is not an either/or scenario. There are many ways
to communicate including Makaton (a simplified sign-language system), PECS & other
symbols-based approaches, photographs (for those unable to understand symbols),
transitional objects & behaviour-based approaches. It is enough to say that, with a little
time and patience on both sides, there will always be some way of communicating.

Submitted to: Prof. Minguela S. Ting

SPED Teacher III