Let's Talk About PECS Baby...

 

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a form of augmentative and alternative communication. It is typically used as an aid in communication for children with autism and other special needs. The system has been used with a variety of ages including preschoolers, adolescents and adults who have a wide array of communicative, cognitive and physical difficulties. PECS has been the subject of academic research.^[1] It was developed in 1985 by Lori Frost, M.S., CCC-SLP and Andy Bondy, Ph.D. 

^{(Wikipedia, 2013)}

PECS is designed to teach functional communication with an initial focus on spontaneity. It has been and continues to be implemented in a variety of settings (home, school, community) so users have the skills to communicate their wants and needs. PECS does not require complex or expensive materials since it uses picture symbols as the modality. PECS is a method to teach young children a way of communicating within a social context. Research has shown that many preschoolers using PECS also begin developing speech.^[2]     

(Wikipedia, 2013)

 

^{PECS is a valuable communication system for beginning AAC users.  It is a low tech AAC device that is inexpensive and can be used at home, school, or in the community.  This low tech AAC communication system would easily lead to the use of higher tech AAC like Proloquo2go.  Once the student is able to use the picture exchange system to communicate, they most likely can easily adapt to touching the screen of an iPad.  PECS would require some time in the beginning to create the communication cards and velcro boards. As students became more adept at using the PECS cards to communicate, the transition to an electronic device may be warranted.}