WHAT IS PECS?
PECS stands for Picture Exchange Communication System. PECS books allow non-verbal or less verbal people to communicate with others using pictures. In the framework of PECS, children are taught to approach other people, attract their attention, and exchange the picture for the desired subject or action. Thus, the child is taught what communication is and how to initiate it completely independently.
PECS is a learning protocol for fully independent communication. With PECS, a child with autism can ask for or express any other thought that can be expressed using images. PECS can be used perfectly both at home and in the classroom.
FOR WHOM PECS BOOK IS SUITABLE?
PECS book is mainly used for teaching “non-verbal” students, but with equal success, it can be used in teaching people with limited vocabulary or slurred speech, as well as for those whose verbal communication consists mainly of repeating other people’s words ( echolalia).
BENEFITS OF PECS BOOK
PECS books, in most cases, help to achieve significant success in the verbal development of children experiencing communicative difficulties, and sometimes their use can continue in adulthood.
Individually selected PECS books for autistic maximize the visibility of the communication process. At the same time, communication is not limited to simple requests and designations of pictures. Communication disorders in autistic children make it difficult for them to understand the communication process itself. The therapist’s or parent’s task is to understand what is necessary for their child, how to attract his/her attention, and correctly state what he/she wants, etc.
REDUCE UNWANTED BEHAVIOR
In cases where the use of PECS book begins to solve behavior problems (incentives, stereotypes, aggression, auto-aggression, etc.), unwanted behavior begins to decrease.
For example, if a child silently beats other people, actually wanting to get an apple, you can teach him to ask for an apple using the appropriate picture, and this positive communication will replace the negative.
Of course, this is a simplified example, but in reality, situations are usually much more complicated. However, according to the results of many studies, it was found that the higher the communication skills developed, the lower the risk of unwanted behavior.
SELF COMMUNICATION
Autistic children find it difficult to initiate various actions, even their own messages and requests. Because of this, most autists will prefer to wait for someone to ask, “what do you want?” or uses some alternative communication system. The task of PECS books is to teach the autistic to start communication to voice his/her opinion, need, or desire.
PROMOTES THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPOKEN LANGUAGE
The development of any communication skills greatly increases the likelihood that the autistic will begin to use spoken language. If the child is still not fluent enough, then the PECS books will help him/her to learn how to use an alternative way of communication in situations where “there are not enough words.”
Over the years of using PECS books, it was founded that the use of this and some other alternative communication systems can significantly develop oral speech over time.
After a few years, autistic children at some point stop using PECS books, because they develop normal speech – a simpler and more effective way of communicating than sharing images. With the help of PECS classes, the children learn and reflect. In addition, additional strategic techniques to stimulate verbal communication are necessarily included in the training system.
EFFICIENCY
The high effectiveness of PECS books in 2015 was confirmed by the inclusion of the system in the report “Evidence-Based Practices for Children, Youth, and Young People with Autism Spectrum Disorders”, prepared by the American National Center for Professional Development on Recommended Autism Aid Techniques.
The PECS books can be extremely useful for many special children, helping them learn how to communicate effectively. Of course, the decision to use the PECS books with any modifications and additions should be made, taking into account the individual needs of each individual person.
Learning through PECS books lasts quite a long time. The positive results can be observed in the permanently silent children. They learn :
- to express themselves;
- communicate their desires and needs;
- Communicate productively with other people.
Specialists working in the fields of communication and applied behavior analysis recognize PEX training as one of the most effective innovative methods aimed at developing autistic communication skills in society.
CLEAR COMMUNICATION
If a PECS book is chosen incorrectly, then the child will not accept it because the communication will not take place. Quite often, autistic children want to communicate verbally. That is the reason their messages are ultimately ignored. With the help of the PECS book, communicative acts become more visual, and it helps the children to communicate their message more clearly.
REFERENCE
Wong, C., Odom, S. L., Hume, K. A., Cox, A. W., Fettig, A., Kucharczyk, S., . . . Schultz, T. R. (2015). Evidence-Based Practices for Children, Youth, and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Comprehensive Review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(7), 1951-1966. doi:10.1007/s10803-014-2351-z