The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is an approach used to develop functional communication skills. It can be used with children as young as preschoolers with a variety of communicative and learning difficulties, including autism.
It teaches children to exchange a picture for a desired item from their environment, for example if the child wants a drink she/he will give the picture of a drink to an adult who will then give the child the desired drink. It prompts children to initiate communication, with developing spontaneous communication as the goal.
PECS follows a clear programme divided into phases. It starts by using single pictures to communicate needs, the child will then learn to discriminate and choose between pictures, finally moving on to combining a number of pictures into a sentence.
The speech and language therapist supporting your child can advise if PECS is a suitable approach for your child. If PECS is an appropriate approach she will help to implement it in your child’s environment, whether it is home and/or school.