PECS is a form of augmentative communication that was developed to help children with autism communicate but has proven so successful that now it is used for children and adults with a variety of communication difficulties.
Imagine being very thirsty but not able to communicate your need for a glass of water. This is what a child with autism who has communication difficulties experiences daily. Many children with autism are functionally nonverbal. This means that they do not speak at all or if they do speak their words don’t convey any specific message that can be easily understood by others.
The Basics of PECS
Children using PECS will be taught first how to approach and grab someone else’s attention. Typically developing children learn how to do this on their own while children with autism need to be taught. This skill can be taught by using reinforcers. A child is rewarded every time he approaches someone so that he will begin approaching others on his own in order to obtain his reward.
Once a child has learned how to approach others he will be taught how to use pictures to communicate his needs. For example, when he gives someone a picture of his favorite toy he will be given his toy. If he gives his parents a picture of a box of juice, he will be given his box of juice. The child soon learns that this form of communication is much more effective than crying or having a tantrum.
Parents can foster verbal expressions by saying out loud the names of the objects in the pictures that their child gives them. This way the child learns that every object has a name with a particular sound associated with it.
What is Needed to Start A Picture Exchange Communication System
To set up a PECS program you will need a binder, Velcro strips, laminating paper and many pictures. The Velcro strips will be vertically attached to the binder so that the pictures, which will have Velcro dots on the back, can be attached. The binder will have pictures of all the frequently needed items in the child’s day. For example, pictures of his favorite foods, drinks and toys. Whenever the child wants something he will be able to go to his binder, pick the picture of what he wants and hand it over to his parents, teachers or therapists.
PECS can help improve communication skills essential in improving the quality of life of children with autism. Once effective communication is established then other skills are more readily learned.
For parents interested in this system of communication the book The Picture Exchange Communication System Training Manual by Frost and Bondy [ Pyramid Educational Products, 2002] provides more detailed information.
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