Did you know that teaching children who are non-verbal how to communicate using PECS can improve their ability to communicate in social settings? Do you know what PECS is?
If you’re the parent of a child with autism or other special needs who is non-verbal, giving your child tools to be able to communicate is essential. PECS is a system that can help your child learn to communicate with people around them.
If you want to learn more about PECS and how it helps non-verbal children, keep reading.
What Is PECS?
PECS stands for picture exchange communication system. This is a technique that often gets used in ABA therapy or Applied Behavior Analysis therapy. While this system was designed for children with autism, it can get used by other non-verbal children as well.
PECS provides an alternative method of communication for children who are non-verbal. With this process, children get taught to communicate through a series of steps.
How To Communicate
The first phase of PECS looks at teaching children how to communicate using the picture exchange communication system. In this phase, your child gets taught that when they choose the card or picture of the item they want and hand it to the person, they are rewarded with the item they want.
One person in front of the child holds an item the child wants. Another person prompts the child to take the picture card and hand it to the person they are communicating with in order to receive the item they want.
Persistence and Distance
This phase is about teaching the child to be persistent when they are attempting to communicate. During this phase, the person with the item will move away, or the picture will be further away.
Because of this, your child will need to make an actual physical attempt to get the item they want. They will need to move to the card or the person holding the item.
Picture Discrimination
Phase three teaches children how to choose the right card. During this phase, they are given two cards. One card will have a picture of an item that isn’t desired, while the other card will have a picture of an item the child wants.
Your child will learn to pick the item they want based on the picture. If they do not look closely then they could end up with an item they don’t want. They get taught to look at the cards and choose what they want throughout this phase.
Sentence Structure
Phase four of PECS looks at sentence structure. At this point in time, the child involved is able to choose the correct card to obtain what they want, so now it is time to start using sentences.
Short phrases will get added to your child’s cards. For example, they might be given a card with an image that gets associated with the phrase, “I want.”
They will pass the “I want” card to the adult, and they are required to point to each word before they are given the item they want. During this phase, some children might start talking and using a few words.
Responding
The previous phase is about teaching your child to request items utilizing PECS. This phase is about teaching your child to respond using PECS.
During this phase, they will get taught to respond to questions about what they want.
Commenting
While the previous two phases focused on responding to questions about what they want and requesting items, this phase looks at commenting. This is used through phrases like, “I see.”
This phase can be difficult and confusing to children but teaches them to make comments about things they see.
PECS Versus Digital Tools
With increases in technology, iPads are great options to help increase communication skills for non-verbal children. An iPad can give a child the option to push a button and communicate in that way.
However, this rise in technology doesn’t invalidate PECS. Low technology and high technology options in combination can help create better outcomes.
While PECS can help with building intentional communication skills and independence in communication, a more high-tech option will provide different benefits.
Some of the benefits from high-tech options include:
- Aid in literacy problems
- Reduce stressors during interventions
- Increase intra-verbal responses
Benefits of PECS for Children With Autism and Special Needs
For parents considering enrolling their child in a program that utilizes ABA therapy and teaches PECS, what are the benefits? There are many benefits of utilizing PECS that should get considered.
Teach Your Child To Initiate
If your child is non-verbal and unwilling to initiate communication, PECS is a great system to use. PECS can help teach your child to initiate communication.
They learn that when they give the card with the item desired, they are rewarded. This can help support independence later in life because it teaches children life skills that include the ability to initiate communication.
Useful for Many Children
While the PECS system was initially utilized for children with autism, it’s not exclusive to children with autism. A PECS system can get used for anyone that struggles with communication.
It can get used in children with fetal alcohol syndrome, cerebral palsy, and more. It’s important to note that PECS can also get used with adults. PECS is sometimes used with adults who have experienced a stroke or traumatic brain injury.
PECS Can Be Taught Easily to Others
Using sign language for non-verbal children is excellent; however, not many people know sign language, and it takes time to learn. PECS, in contrast, can be learned easily.
In fact, there have been studies that have looked at teaching children’s peers the PECS system, and it improved the ability of non-verbal children to communicate with their peers.
Affordable and Evidence-Based
One of your concerns as a parent might be the cost when it comes to different interventions for your child. However, one of the benefits of PECS is that it is an affordable system that is evidence-based.
Get Treatment for Your Child Today
Early intervention is important when it comes to helping your child. PECS can help your child with autism, or other special needs learn to communicate in new ways.
Path 2 Potential is here to support you and your child. We provide ABA therapy, parent training, and more.
Request a free consultation today to learn how we can help your child.