Benefits of PECS Boards for Children with Autism
If you are a parent of a child with limited speech ability, your child’s doctor has probably suggested that you try the picture exchange communication system (PECS). This revolutionary teaching technique has become commonplace among educators and therapists. But what exactly is PECS? How do PECS boards work? And how can PECS benefit your child with autism?
What is a PECS Board?
PECS is a trademarked learning process. However, “PECS boards” are a common term given to the tools used to implement PECS, such as visual charts and activity boards. You may have also heard of these tools referred to as visual communication boards, transition boards”, or “first-then boards.”
Basically, PECS boards are platforms that allow you to place images in front of your non-verbal son or daughter to help them learn to make decisions and communicate without using words.
These boards typically consist of two parts: the board itself (which is often magnetic or has a velcro surface) and detachable pictures depicting objects, feelings, and activities.
If you’re looking to buy a PECS board on Amazon, check out our PECS boards review.
The Science Behind PECS
The picture exchange communication system (PECS) was developed in 1984 by Lori Frost and Dr. Andrew Bondy with the goal of creating an easy, efficient, and functional method of teaching autistic children with limited speech ability to communicate.
PECS was first introduced to pre-schoolers at the Delaware Autistic Program and quickly found great success. Frost and Bondy discovered that using images as a form of communication not only taught kids with autism how to understand basic sentence structure but significantly reduced undesirable behavior in the process.
The science behind PECS is logical yet straightforward. Since nonverbal children cannot express their emotions, needs, and desires with words, they can quickly become frustrated and overwhelmed. PECS provides these kids with a way to convey their needs to their parents or teachers.
However, this rudimentary form of communicating is only the foundation of PECS. Picture exchange communication involves gradually working up to higher levels of learning and understanding. Here are the six phases of PECS provided by Pyramid Educational Consultants (a company founded by Frost and Bondy). While these phases are aimed at individuals using the official PECS program, the same principles apply to parents and educators looking to implement PECS independently.
PECS PHASE I: How to Communicate
Individuals learn to exchange single pictures for items or activities they really want.
PECS PHASE II: Distance and Persistence
Still using single pictures, individuals learn to generalize this new skill by using it in different places, with different people and across distances. They are also taught to be more persistent communicators.
PECS PHASE III: Picture Discrimination
Individuals learn to select from two or more pictures to ask for their favorite things. These are placed in a PECS Communication Book—a ringed binder with self-adhesive hook fastener strips where pictures are stored and easily removed for communication.
PECS PHASE IV: Sentence Structure
Individuals learn to construct simple sentences on a detachable Sentence Strip using an “I want” picture followed by a picture of the item being requested.
ADDITIONAL PHASE: Attributes and Language Expansion
Individuals learn to expand their sentences by adding adjectives, verbs and prepositions.
PECS PHASE V: Answering Questions
Individuals learn to use PECS to answer questions such as “What do you want?”
PECS PHASE VI: Commenting
Individuals are taught to comment in response to questions such as, “What do you see?”, “What do you hear?” and “What is it?” They learn to make up sentences starting with “I see”, “I hear”, “I feel”, “It is a”, etc.
How can a PECS Board Benefit your Child with Autism?
Improve Communication and Understanding
Non-verbal kids have it rough. Speech is one of the defining characteristics that makes us human, so not having the ability to communicate with words presents a myriad of challenges. Fortunately, PECS boards provide an alternate form of communication.
As your child learns to associate pictures with emotions, feelings, and desires, they will simultaneously develop comprehension and problem-solving abilities that open the door to many other benefits.
Reduce Your Child’s Stress and Anxiety
As young children begin to grow and gain more independence, they crave the ability to express themselves. However, for a non-verbal kid on the spectrum, not being able to explain that they are hungry or thirsty can be frustrating or even infuriating, causing them to cry, throw a tantrum, or lash out in some other way. A PECS board can give them an outlet to describe their desires and emotions before they spiral out of control.
Improved social interaction
Inevitably, At some point, you will be away from your son or daughter. Perhaps they are visiting a relative, or they have to go to school. Regardless of the reason, it’s crucial that your child be able to communicate with others, even if it is only to a limited degree.
A portable PECS board or book can help your child take the communication skills they have learned anywhere they go, allowing them to describe exactly what they need to others.
Tips for Introducing and Using a PECS Board with Your Child
Because PECS follows a simple six-step process, it’s safe to assume that introducing a PECS board to your child would be easy, right? Well, unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Every child is different, and while some may welcome the idea of a new way to express themselves, others may be hesitant.
It’s important to remember that you are learning along with your son or daughter, so while it may initially it may be frustrating for you if they don’t seem to be getting it right away, be patient. With time and cooperation, the two of you will learn how to utilize this excellent teaching method. Here are a few tips and tricks that can help you introduce PECS to your child and help both of you get the most out of the learning experience.
Introduce Pecs Using Their Favorite Things
Pyramid education consultants suggest introducing PECS by having at least three objects (referred to as reinforcers) on hand that your child really wants. These items might include their favorite toy, snack, or drink. Using items that your son or daughter is familiar with will accelerate the learning process by making it more welcoming and enjoyable.
After you have chosen your items, find or create images that represent each object. It’s important that each picture is labeled so any other family members can maintain consistency when using the PECS board.
Take Detailed Notes
Monitoring your child’s progress is a crucial part of the picture exchange communication system. You may find it helpful to keep a journal where you can write down any significant milestones or specific things you have noticed about your child’s reaction to visual communication learning. Here are a few questions that you can keep in mind when you are making your notes.
- Which pictures and objects does my child respond well to?
- Is my son or daughter communicating what they feel and want more quickly than before?
- Is my child’s mood improving?
- How often is my child having temper tantrums?
Attend a PECS workshop
Since its development in the mid 80’s PECS has helped thousands of non-verbal children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) learn to communicate effectively with their families and friends. Because of the method’s success, PECS has exploded in popularity, becoming a standard form of learning in homes and classrooms.
With so many people interested in PECS, Lori Frost, Dr. Andrew Bondy, and the other researchers at Pyramid Educational Consultants have organized a program to teach the picture exchange communication system to the country. The organization offers in-person and online workshops to teach parents and educators how Pecs works and how it can be tailored to your child’s individual needs. So regardless of which PECS phase your child is on, you can learn a lot from a training workshop.
Join the Normal Life Community
PECS boards are a fantastic teaching tool that can give a level of normality to the life of your non-verbal son or daughter. If you’ve had a positive experience using PECS boards or have any helpful suggestions on getting started using them, we’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and join our growing community of parents and caretakers of kids with autism disorders.
