Picture Exchange Communication System
The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a picture-based system that was developed for learners with social communication deficits (Bondy & Frost, 2001). PECS is an alternative communication system in which an individual independently uses pictures to express his wants and needs. The PECS system utilizes behavioral principles and techniques such as motivation, prompting, shaping, differential reinforcement, reinforcer assessment, and transfer of stimulus control. One of the unique characteristics of the PECS program is that it teaches the learner to initiate an interaction with the listener. The pictures are kept in a notebook, and a learner is taught to create sentences by selecting pictures and delivering them to the communicative partner as a request for a desired item. PECS emphasizes teaching a learner to request items, respond to questions, and make social comments. Learners with autism often have deficits in these areas and benefit greatly from programming that targets these social skills.
communication by approaching someone when he/she wants or needs something. It is recommended to use two people: a listener and a prompter. When the learner reaches for a desired item, the prompter guides him/her to pick up the picture with whatever assistance is necessary. Some learners may need a physical prompt; others may need a gestural prompt. Next, the individual reaches toward and places the picture in the open hand of the listener. During this phase of training, it is important
that the prompter gradually fade the prompts over several opportunities.
In phase two of PECS training, more naturalistic aspects of communication are introduced, the communicative partner gradually moves away, and pictures are further from the learner but still in plain sight. The goal is to teach the learner how to request items in all situations in which something is desired. In phase three, attention is devoted to teaching picture discriminations. Phases four, five, and six are advanced lessons within PECS. Phase four introduces sentence structure within the system. Teaching simple sentence formation using “I want…” or “I see…” is one way to know if the learner is making a comment or a request. This new language structure (a sentence) is taught using the language function (requesting), which the learner already knows. Phase five focuses on answering simple questions starting with “What do you want?” Phase six teaches learners how to comment on their experiences. After learners successfully complete all six phases of PECS training, they will have many communication skills to use spontaneously and respond to others.
The goal of the first phase of PECS training is to teach a learner to initiate a
Resource Bondy, A. S., & Frost, L. A. (2001). A picture’s worth: PECS and other visual communication strategies in autism. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House.
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ABA Principles & Methods
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