The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

The Picture Exchange

Communication System (PECS) is a
system to assist people in
communication who are unable to do
so through speech. The system uses
picture cards for communication. It is
one method that a child with a severe
speech disorder can use to indicate
his basic needs and wants. This
reduces the child’s frustration and his social isolation.

The Picture Exchange Communication System or PECS approach is a modified

applied behavior analysis program designed for early nonverbal symbolic
communication training. It is not a program designed to teach speech, although the
latter is encouraged indirectly and some children begin to spontaneously use speech
while enrolled in the PECS program. The PECS training program was developed at the
De laware Autistic Program. PECS training occurs during typical activities within the
natural settings of the classroom and the home. The communication training occurs
within a broader positive behavioral support context entitled the Pyramid Approach.
Training techniques include strategies such as chaining, prompting/cuing, modeling,
and environmental engineering.

Professional training regarding PECS is required in order to implement the

program as designed. Generally, the training is provided at a two-day workshop. While
speech pathologists might be the primary PECS program coordinator for a specific
child, it is helpful to have others also attend the two-day trainings since they too will play
an important role. These others could include parents, the classroom teacher, and
classroom assistants. They will be important in identifying new vocabulary and may help
construct some of the picture display symbols as well as provide the nonverbal
individual with opportunities to use/learn the new vocabulary. Although many people

 | Sheela G. Marasigan, LPT

receive their initial training from a Pyramid Educational Consultant, others may receive
their training through a train-the-trainer model from a local individual who has had
training beyond the two-day orientation and is certified to train others.

PECS is a stepping stone to effective

communication. Child will learn that
when he hands over a picture with a
glass of orange juice on it, he will
receive the juice. This builds a
foundation for communication.
Gradually, the child can learn to use
the cards to string words together and
form sentences, which lends itself to
the development of verbal
communication.

Researchers concluded that PECS is effective in helping children with autism use
pictures to communicate; however, evidence that PECS helps children acquire vocal
speech is not as strong, perhaps because the quality and quantity of research on
speech outcomes has been insufficient to produce a clear pattern of results. The
researchers also established three child characteristics that may be pretreatment
identifiers of children with autism likely to respond to PECS: limited motor imitation,
strong object exploration, and limited joint attention.

One good characteristics of PECS is its flexibility. It’s also possible to make your
own PECS. You can also simply draw out some cards if you need to. PECS can
be a crazy helpful tool, and they don’t need to be over complicated or expensive.
You can use free resources and DIY options to help you get started.

References:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bzli1iC_w8

 | Sheela G. Marasigan, LPT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsDBJyrcyh0

 | Sheela G. Marasigan, LPT