1. PECS Picture Exchange Communication System
Lori Frost, MS CCC-SLP and Andrew Bondy, PhD
Presented by
Tami Cassel, MA CCC-SLP
Rhonda Johns, MS CCC-SLP

2. PECS is … A communication system
A way for non-verbal students or students with emerging verbal skills to initiate communication

3. PECS is not…
A visual schedule
Work baskets

4. Principles of PECS Communication Partner Communication Facilitator
Pictures to communicate messages
3-5 high interest items
80% accuracy
Change activities to maintain interest

5. Choosing Reinforcers Items of high interest for the student
Small items or ones that can be separated
Variety for maintaining interest
DON’T use items that cause meltdowns

6. Phase 1:The Physical Exchange student will:
pick up a picture
reach toward trainer
release picture into trainer’s hand

7. The Physical Exchange No verbal prompts
Two trainers: Communicative Partner
Communicative Facilitator
Single picture
Start video up to PHASE 2

8. Phase 2: Increase Spontaneity student will:
go to communication book
retrieve picture
take to communication partner

9. Increase Spontaneity No verbal prompts Change trainers
One picture placed in different places
Increase distance between trainer and student
Increase distance between student and picture.

10. Phase 3: Discrimination Training Student will request a desired item:
go to communication book
select the appropriate picture
give it to the communication partner

11. Discrimination Training
No verbal prompts
No travel, set up situation
2 Pictures on board
High interest and low interest picture
Change picture positions
Correspondence check

12. Phase 4: Sentence Structure Student requests present and non-present items using a multi-word phrase
Picking up a symbol of I want
Putting it on a sentence strip
Choosing the desired picture
Giving strip to communication partner

13. Sentence Structure No Verbal Prompts
Stationary Picture: “I want” on the sentence strip, get desired picture, give to teacher
Moving Picture: “I want” on book with picture of desired item
Both placed on sentence strip and given to teacher

14. Phase 5: Answering “What do you want?”
Student will spontaneously request a variety of items and can answer the question, “What do you want?”

15. “What do you want?” Delayed prompting
“I want” picture and sentence strip
Desired item available

16. Phase 6: Questions Student appropriately answers:
“What do you want?”
“What do you see?”
“What do you have?”
Questions are presented in random order

17. Questions and Comments
Tami Cassel,MA CCC-SLP
Rhonda Johns, MS CCC-SLP

18. Pyramid Educational Consultants
226 West Park Place
Suite #1
Newark, DE 19711