Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Introduction to the PECS Communication System

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a widely recognized and effective method of communication used by individuals with speech and/or language difficulties. Developed by Andrew S. Bondy and Lori Frost, PECS is designed to support individuals who have challenges in expressive communication.

What is the PECS Communication System?

The PECS Communication System is a form of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) that uses pictures to facilitate communication. It is particularly beneficial for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. PECS focuses on enabling individuals to initiate and engage in functional communication by exchanging pictures for desired items or activities.

By using a series of steps and visual prompts, PECS aims to teach individuals how to initiate communication, make requests, and build their language skills. The system emphasizes the development of spontaneous communication rather than relying solely on a prompted response.

How Does the PECS System Work?

The PECS system follows a structured approach that gradually builds communication skills. It involves the following key steps:

Initiation: The individual learns to initiate communication by approaching a communication partner and presenting a picture symbol.
Exchange: The individual hands the picture symbol to the communication partner in exchange for the desired item or activity.
Persistence: The individual learns to persist in their communication attempts, even when the desired item or activity is not immediately available.
Expansion: As communication skills progress, the individual is encouraged to use more complex sentence structures and expand their vocabulary.

PECS utilizes a range of visual supports, such as PECS cards or pictures, to represent desired items or actions. These visual supports can be customized to match the individual's specific needs and preferences.

The PECS Communication System has been widely adopted due to its effectiveness in promoting functional communication skills and enhancing the quality of life for individuals with communication difficulties.

Understanding the foundation and mechanics of the PECS Communication System sets the stage for exploring its impact on individuals with communication challenges. In the following sections, we will delve deeper into the positive effects of PECS in enhancing communication abilities and fostering independence.

Understanding the Impact of PECS

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) has a profound impact on individuals with communication challenges. By understanding the impact of PECS, we can appreciate its effectiveness in enhancing communication abilities and fostering independence and autonomy.

Enhancing Communication Abilities

The PECS Communication System is designed to improve the communication skills of individuals who have difficulty with speech or expressive language. By using a series of picture cards, individuals are empowered to initiate and engage in communication. This system enables them to make choices, express needs, and share information with others.

One of the key advantages of the PECS system is its flexibility. It can be customized to meet the unique communication needs of each individual. Through the use of visual supports, individuals can better understand the context of conversations, follow instructions, and participate in social interactions. The visual nature of PECS provides a concrete and tangible means of communication, reducing frustration and promoting effective communication exchanges.

Fostering Independence and Autonomy

The PECS Communication System fosters independence and autonomy for individuals with communication difficulties. It gives them control and the ability to communicate their needs, wants, and ideas. With this newfound independence, they can participate in decision-making processes and engage more fully in social interactions. The system promotes self-regulation and problem-solving skills, leading to improved self-esteem and empowerment. The impact extends beyond communication skills, improving social interaction, language development, and reducing frustration and challenging behaviors. In the next section, we will discuss implementing the PECS Communication System and providing practical steps to get started.

Benefits of the PECS Communication System

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) has proven to have a significant impact on individuals with communication difficulties. By using visual supports and a systematic approach, PECS empowers individuals to express their needs, wants, and thoughts effectively. Let's explore the various benefits of implementing the PECS Communication System.

Improved Social Interaction

One of the key benefits of the PECS Communication System is its ability to improve social interaction skills. By using pictures to communicate, individuals with communication challenges can initiate and engage in meaningful interactions with others. This can lead to enhanced social connections, increased participation in group activities, and improved relationships with peers and caregivers.

Increased Language Development

PECS plays a crucial role in promoting language development for individuals who struggle with verbal communication. Through the use of visual supports, individuals are encouraged to associate pictures with words, helping them to expand their vocabulary and understanding of language. As individuals become more proficient in using PECS, they may also develop the ability to combine pictures to form simple sentences or express more complex ideas.

To further support the language development of individuals using PECS, speech therapy may be incorporated alongside the system. Speech therapists can provide guidance on how to combine verbal communication with the visual supports provided by PECS.

Reduced Frustration and Challenging Behaviors

The PECS Communication System reduces frustration and challenging behaviors associated with communication difficulties. Individuals who use PECS can effectively communicate their needs and desires, resulting in decreased frustration and challenging behaviors. PECS also provides visual schedules and supports, reducing anxiety and promoting predictability. By implementing PECS, individuals with communication difficulties can experience improved social interaction, language development, quality of life, and independence.

Implementing the PECS Communication System

To effectively implement the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), it is important to understand the steps involved in the process. This section will provide an overview of getting started with PECS and the sequential steps in the PECS process.

Getting Started with PECS

Getting started with PECS involves several key considerations to ensure successful implementation. Here are some essential steps to begin using the PECS communication system:

Assessment and Evaluation: Before starting PECS, it is crucial to assess the individual's communication skills, preferences, and needs. This evaluation helps determine if PECS is the appropriate communication system for the individual. Consultation with professionals, such as speech therapists or behavior analysts, can assist in this process.
Training and Education: Caregivers, educators, and communication partners should receive proper training and education on the PECS system. Understanding the underlying principles, strategies, and techniques of PECS will contribute to effective implementation. Training workshops, online resources, and professional guidance can support individuals in acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills.
Creating PECS Materials: PECS utilizes visual supports in the form of picture cards. These cards represent desired objects, actions, or requests. Start by creating a set of personalized picture cards that are relevant to the individual's communication needs and preferences. These cards should be easily accessible and organized for effective communication exchanges.
Establishing Communication Routines: Establish consistent routines and opportunities for communication using PECS. Encourage individuals to actively participate in communication exchanges by offering choices, modeling the use of picture cards, and providing positive reinforcement for successful communication attempts. Consistency and repetition are key to building proficiency and confidence in using the PECS system.

Steps in the PECS Process

The PECS process consists of several sequential steps designed to facilitate effective communication using picture exchange. These steps gradually build upon each other, supporting individuals in developing their communication skills. The typical steps of the PECS process include:

Phase 1: Communication Temptation: In this initial stage, the focus is on motivating the individual to initiate communication. Communication temptations are created by placing highly desired objects or activities within reach but out of immediate access. This encourages the individual to engage in communication by taking the picture card and exchanging it for the desired item or activity.
Phase 2: Distance and Persistence: Moving forward, the goal is to develop consistency and persistence in the picture exchange process. The individual is encouraged to travel a short distance to reach the communication partner and exchange the picture card for the desired item. Prompting, fading, and reinforcement strategies are utilized to reinforce successful exchanges and promote independence.
Phase 3: Picture Discrimination: This phase focuses on expanding the individual's ability to make choices and discriminate between different picture cards. The individual is presented with an array of picture cards and prompted to select the desired item or action. This step enhances the individual's ability to communicate specific preferences and needs.
Phase 4: Sentence Structure: In the final phase, individuals are introduced to the concept of sentence structure using sentence strips or communication boards. This allows them to construct longer and more complex messages by combining multiple picture cards. The goal is to support the individual in expressing their thoughts, feelings, and requests using appropriate sentence structure.

By following these steps, individuals can develop their communication skills and gradually progress towards more advanced forms of communication. It is important to note that the pace of progress may vary depending on the individual's abilities and needs. Ongoing support, practice, and reinforcement are essential for successful implementation of the PECS communication system.

As individuals become more proficient in using PECS, it is important to create a PECS-friendly environment and collaborate with communication partners to ensure consistent and effective communication.

Supporting Individuals Using PECS

When implementing the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), it is crucial to provide the necessary support to individuals using this communication method. Here are some essential aspects to consider in supporting individuals who use PECS:

Creating a PECS-Friendly Environment

To ensure the success of the PECS Communication System, it is essential to create an environment that is conducive to its implementation. Here are some key considerations:

Visual Supports: Utilize visual supports throughout the environment to supplement the PECS system. This can include visual schedules, labels, and symbols that represent various objects and activities. Visual supports enhance understanding and help individuals navigate their surroundings more effectively.
Organization and Accessibility: Keep PECS materials organized and easily accessible. Designate a specific area for PECS cards and communication boards, making it convenient for individuals to locate and use them when needed.
Consistency: Maintain consistency in the use of the PECS system across different settings and individuals working with the individual. This helps create a predictable and supportive environment, reinforcing communication skills.

Collaboration with Communication Partners

Collaboration with communication partners, including parents, caregivers, teachers, and therapists, is vital for the successful implementation of the PECS Communication System. Here's how communication partners can support individuals using PECS:

Training and Education: Communication partners should receive proper training and education on the PECS system. This helps them understand the system's principles, effectively implement it, and provide consistent support.
Modeling and Prompting: Communication partners play a crucial role in modeling and prompting the use of PECS. By demonstrating how to exchange pictures and encouraging individuals to use the system, they promote communication development and independence.
Consistent Implementation: Communication partners should collaborate to ensure consistent implementation of PECS across various environments. This consistency helps individuals generalize their communication skills beyond a specific setting or person.

Expanding PECS Skills and Progression

As individuals become more proficient with the PECS Communication System, it is important to expand their skills and promote progression. Here are some strategies to support skill development:

Vocabulary Expansion: Introduce new vocabulary and concepts into the PECS system as individuals progress. Continually add new pictures and symbols to broaden their communication repertoire.
Sentence Structure: Support the development of sentence structure by gradually introducing more complex sentence formats. This can involve expanding from single-word requests to multi-word phrases and eventually to complete sentences.
Social Communication: Encourage the use of PECS for social communication by incorporating social scripts and greetings into the system. This helps individuals engage in social interactions and develop social communication skills.
Speech and Language Integration: While PECS primarily focuses on nonverbal communication, it can also be used to support speech and language development. Communication partners can encourage individuals to vocalize while using PECS or gradually transition to verbal communication as their speech skills progress.

By creating a PECS-friendly environment, fostering collaboration with communication partners, and supporting skill development, individuals using the PECS Communication System can continue to expand their communication abilities and achieve greater independence.