PECS for Autism – Picture Exchange Communication System
What is the Picture Exchange Communication System?
One of the commonest disabilities found in autistic children is an impaired ability to communicate. While some children with autism will develop verbal language, others may never talk.
A program that either helped develop language abilities or that provided an alternate means of communication was needed. To satisfy these needs, the augmented communication program called the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) was developed.
The PECS system originated at the Delaware Autistic Program. It was specifically developed for use with young nonverbal children or children with limited functional speech who have autism or other social communication challenges.
PECS uses ABA-based methods to teach children to exchange a picture for something they want such as an item or an activity. People using PECS are taught to approach and give a picture of a desired item to a communicative partner in exchange for that item. Children progress through sequenced phases, enabling them to communicate within a social context.
While advancing through the phases of PECS, the student learns to sequence words to create sentences. Pointing to pictures is discouraged as pointing does not require interaction with a person. Using PECS, students learn to gain the attention of the communication partner in order to make a request. Because the student learns to spontaneously initiate communicative exchanges, PECS is used with children or adults who are not yet initiating requests or offering comments.
The advantage to PECS is that it is clear, intentional, and initiated by the child. The child hands you a picture and his or her request is immediately understood. It also makes it easy for the child with autism to communicate with anyone. A further advantage is that a PECS program does not require a lengthy prerequisite training period or expensive materials. It can be taught to parents and other therapists for use in all the child’s environments.
Term:
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) – A system created to aid the communication of nonverbal autistic patients. PECS employs a simple picture card system used to encourage autistic people to communicate their needs.
