How Does PECS Work?
PECS is based on the principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA). It involves teaching the child to exchange a picture of a desired item with a communication partner to receive that item. This system progresses through six phases, starting from the basic exchange of pictures to constructing simple sentences and eventually answering questions.
Who Can Benefit from PECS?
PECS is particularly effective for children with
communication disorders, including those with ASD, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other developmental delays. It can be beneficial for any child who has difficulty with verbal communication and may also be used as a temporary measure while other communication skills are developing.
How Is PECS Implemented?
PECS implementation usually involves a trained therapist, such as a
speech-language pathologist (SLP), working closely with the child and their caregivers. The system is introduced in a structured way, starting with the child learning to exchange a single picture card for a desired item and gradually moving to more complex communication forms.
Phase 1: Teaching the child to exchange a picture for a desired item.
Phase 2: Encouraging the child to initiate communication by traveling to the communication partner.
Phase 3: Discriminating between different pictures to choose the correct one.
Phase 4: Constructing simple sentences using a sentence strip.
Phase 5: Answering questions like "What do you want?" using PECS.
Phase 6: Commenting on the environment by using pictures to respond to questions like "What do you see?"
Improving the child's ability to communicate effectively.
Reducing frustration and challenging behaviors associated with communication difficulties.
Providing a visual and concrete method of communication that is often easier for children with ASD to understand.
Being a flexible system that can be tailored to the child's individual needs.
It requires consistent and systematic effort from both the child and caregivers.
Initial stages may be time-consuming and require intensive training.
There may be resistance from the child initially, especially if they have sensory sensitivities to handling pictures or cards.
How Do Caregivers and Educators Support PECS?
Successful implementation of PECS involves collaboration among caregivers, educators, and therapists. Consistency is key, so it's important for everyone involved in the child's care to use PECS consistently and correctly. Training sessions and workshops can be beneficial for caregivers and educators to understand the system thoroughly.
Conclusion
PECS is a powerful tool in the realm of
pediatric communication development. Its structured approach and visual nature make it particularly effective for children with communication challenges. With the right support and consistent use, PECS can significantly enhance a child's ability to communicate, thereby improving their overall quality of life.
