Picture Exchange Communication System

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a form of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) that is used to teach communication skills to individuals with speech and language impairments, particularly those with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Developed by Andrew S. Bondy and Lori A. Frost in 1985 as a unique social-communication intervention for children with autism, PECS has since been adopted worldwide for various communicative disabilities.

Overview

PECS begins with teaching an individual to give a picture of a desired item to a "communicative partner" who immediately honors the exchange as a request. The system is designed to teach functional communication with an initial focus on spontaneous communication. Implemented in several phases, the training starts from the simple exchange of a picture for a desired item and progresses towards constructing simple sentences and discriminating between symbols.

Phases of PECS

1. Phase I: How to Communicate - Individuals learn to exchange single pictures for items or activities they really want.
2. Phase II: Distance and Persistence - Teaches walking to someone and handing them a picture to make a request.
3. Phase III: Picture Discrimination - Individuals learn to select from two or more pictures to ask for their favorite things. These pictures are placed in a communication book—a binder with Velcro strips where pictures are stored and easily removed for communication.
4. Phase IV: Sentence Structure - The individual learns to construct simple sentences on a detachable sentence strip using an "I want" picture followed by a picture of the item being requested.
5. Phase V: Answering Questions - Teaches individuals to use PECS to answer questions such as “What do you want?”
6. Phase VI: Commenting - Introduces individuals to commenting in response to questions like “What do you see?”, “What do you hear?” and “What is it?”, moving beyond requests to full communication.

Benefits

PECS is praised for its ability to help individuals quickly acquire a functional form of communication. Benefits include: - Promotion of social-communication skills - Reduction in challenging behaviors by providing an effective means of communication - Encouragement of spontaneous communication - Easy to implement and does not require expensive materials or technology

Criticism

Despite its widespread use, PECS has faced criticism. Some argue that it may delay the development of speech in some individuals, although research suggests that PECS can support the development of speech in users. Critics also point out the limitation of PECS in developing advanced language skills, suggesting that it should be part of a comprehensive language development strategy rather than the sole intervention.

Implementation

For effective implementation, PECS training should be conducted by certified professionals who have undergone specific training. Parents and caregivers are also encouraged to participate in training sessions to ensure consistency across environments.

Conclusion

PECS represents a significant advancement in AAC, providing individuals with communication impairments a means to express themselves. While it may not be suitable for everyone, its simplicity and effectiveness make it a valuable tool in the field of speech and language therapy.

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