Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is an expressive communication system for individuals who have limited speech or no oral language. Designed by Dr. Andy Bondy and Ms. Lori Frost, M/S., CCC-SLP, it has helped many individuals express themselves. PECS users initiate the communication exchange by giving a picture to someone who has an item that they want to obtain. As the individual moves through the phases, sentence strips are exchanged to request, answer questions and comment. To explore the uses and benefits of PECS, watch the videos below.
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What Does PECS Look Like?
There are six different phases to this system.
Be careful when searching for PECS videos on YouTube and other sites. Often times the system is being incorrectly implemented. The videos listed below have been analyzed and for the most part are good demonstrations. However, even in these the trainers make a few errors.
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Phase 1 How to Communicate
In phase 1, the user learns how to request a desired item by given the communication partner a picture. |
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Phase 2 Distance & Persistence
Phase 3 Picture Discrimination Phase 4 Sentence Structure |
Last two phases.
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Phase 5 Answering Questions
Phase 6 Commenting |
Getting Started
The first step in using PECS is to determine the user's favorite items. Use the Preference Assessment to get a detailed list of desirable food, toys, music and more.
Since every individual prefers different items, pictures will need to be individualized. After you have completed the Preference Assessment, you can begin getting your pictures together. I usually use Boardmaker pictures since I have access to the software, but you can also draw your own, cut out magazine pictures, use web images, clipart, or photographs. In the beginning, I make my pictures 2 inches by 2 inches. As the user needs more vocabulary, the pictures can be shrunk to 1 inch by 1 inch.
The above pictures are in most of my preschool students' PECS books. As you can see, they are school related. Books used at home would contain additional pictures such as TV shows, video games, toiletry items, and clothing.
How to Make A PECS Book
PECS books can be purchased or you can make your own. Advantages of making your own include customizing the size, number of pages, and layout of your book.
Mini-binders (5X8 1/2) work well for my preschool students. To make one of these, you will also need velcro, plastic folders, and a hole punch.
Mini-binders (5X8 1/2) work well for my preschool students. To make one of these, you will also need velcro, plastic folders, and a hole punch.
Functional Activities
PECS can be used throughout the entire day. This list of functional activities can get you started thinking about all of the different situations that involve requesting items.