What is PECS?
PECS stands for ‘Picture Exchange Communication System’ and it’s a low level AAC system (augmentative alternative communication system).
That’s great but what does that mean?!
It’s a 6 phase communication system which teaches children how to communicate with other people by supporting them to select symbol pictures and give them to a communication partner in order to request.
Who is it suitable for?
-PECS is suitable for any child who needs support to learn how to begin to communicate with other people
-It is particularly useful for non-verbal children or children who have difficulties communicating their wants and needs
-‘PECS is one of only a handful of interventions that have shown efficacy in the treatment of autism’ (Maglione, Gans, Das, Timbie, Kasari and HRSA Autism Intervention Research, 2012)
How does it work?
Phase 1- How to Communicate
Students learn to exchange single pictures for items or activities they really want.
Phase 2- Distance and Persistence
Using single pictures, students learn to use this new skill in different places, with different people and across distances. They are also taught to be more persistent communicators.
Phase 3- Picture Discrimination
Students learn to select from two or more pictures to ask for their favourite things. These are placed in a communication book—a ring binder with Velcro strips where pictures are stored and easily removed for communication.
Phases 4-6 continue to develop language skills including sentence structure, answering questions and commenting.
What do I need to start?
-You need to have access to support from a professional who is trained in PECS. This could be a speech pathologist, a teacher or an occupational therapist.
-Someone within your support team will need to have access to a printer/laminator to create the small symbol pictures
-You need to have the time and motivation to implement the system and support your child to use PECS to communicate daily
For further information see https://pecsaustralia.com/
If you have any questions about PECS or you’d like to begin supporting your child with this process, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Written by Philippa Brown, Speech Pathologist
