The Best Pecs Boards for Children With Autism

Children with autism may have a difficult time communicating with those around them. Those that are non-verbal rely on several tools to help them effectively communicate and learn. Thankfully such tools are abundant. 

One such system that has been put into place is PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System). While PECS was initially developed for pre-school-aged children, children and adults of all ages have benefited from this method. 

Visual communication boards, token boards, first-then boards, and many other tools have come from this method of communication. They are both exciting and essential tools parents and teachers introduce to their children. But how can they help your family?

What Are PECS Boards? 

PECS boards use a series of pictures, symbols, or word prompts to help the user communicate with parents, teachers, siblings, peers, and others. The main goal when using any type of visual communication board is to teach functional communication. 

Functional communication is what allows an individual to express themselves freely. But communication doesn’t just involve speech. While speech is an obvious form of communication, there are extensive ways that we as humans and families communicate. Sign language, gestures, pictures, and assistive devices are just a few examples.

It’s vital to introduce different forms of communication to non-verbal kids with autism. For many, PECS boards are their primary form of communication. It allows these children to express their emotions, needs, wants, and concerns. 

The Different Uses of a PECS Board

While PECS boards principally are communication tools, they serve several purposes. So let’s break it up into some categories outside of communication:

• Learning tool. In a classroom setting, visual communication boards can serve the entire class or one on one with a single pupil. These boards can be used to teach a specific skill or idea. For example, sequence cards often teach the order of events which supports problem-solving skills. After a child has learned a new skill, they can practice and improve their skills with the help of visual communication boards. 
• Social interactions. Some children with autism have a difficult time socializing with their peers or family members. As a result, they may need to be encouraged or taught how to do so. For example, those who have difficulty understanding social cues can benefit from a board that helps them do just that. 
• Entertainment. Some visual communication boards are also categorized under learning toys. This is because they are a fun and effective way to engage your child, keep them busy, and teach them something new or reinforce learned skills. Others are set up as an activity or game that your child can play by themselves during quiet play or with others as a social game. 
• Schedule. Many parents initiate visual schedules to help their children understand the events in their day or get accustomed to a specific routine. For example, if the child has therapy sessions, doctor appointments, or set times to take medication, pictured schedules help prepare them for these tasks. Check out our list below for our favorite magnetic visual schedule! It’s especially ideal for rotating or changing plans. If you currently have a rewards system in place, consider swapping it out with a token board. Token boards help your child visualize their progress and goals and encourage them to stay on task by rewarding them.

• Encouraging Speech. Although it may seem like it could inhibit speech, research has shown that these tools encourage speech by reinforcing conversation behaviors and strategies. It also helps to widen out a child’s vocabulary and become more aware of language in general.

Parents and children can utilize the principle behind PECS boards in different forms, including the following:

• Books
• Cards
• Posters
• Electronic
• Magnets

Any of these options can help to serve several purposes, as we outlined above. Therefore, having a variety of options is beneficial. 

For one, it makes transporting easy. In addition, smaller options allow for on-the-go learning and communication. Educators also use different forms, such as posters, to teach a collective group of students. 

The variety is what makes this method truly special and valuable for everyone. 

The Best PECS Boards For Children With Autism

There is a wide range of reasons why you might be looking for a PECS board for your child with autism. Whether for education, communication, or planning purposes, we want to help you find the best option to meet your specific set of needs! Below are a few of our favorites that assist in a number of ways.

 Boardmaker Communication Book

Boardmaker’s communication book helps children learn action words, feelings, and people, and more. The book has ten dividers to best categorize each laminated card. In addition, each card comes with velcro on the back to reorganize the set as you and your child see fit. 

As the child communicates through pointing and showing you the cards, they can also learn ASL quickly as each card has a unique feature on the bottom right-hand side that shows the corresponding ASL symbol. 

SchKIDules Visual Schedule For Kids

Just like adults, kids thrive on schedules and routines. Becoming aware of their routine can help them understand what they need to do next and be compliable. 

Adding a schedule to your fridge that’s eye level with your child will boost their independence. Any upcoming appointments won’t be a surprise, and the layout of events prepares the child for what the day holds. 

SchKIDules Visual Schedule includes 132 activity magnets and 21 heading magnets so that you can separate activities into various settings. For example, the visual schedule can be made into a weekly calendar, daily schedule, or chore priority chart. In addition, because there are colorful photos on each magnet, kids of any age or reading level can manage this visual schedule. 

PECS Visual Strategies Tool Kit

PECS can be used as a reward system for students. It provides them with a visual reminder to stay on task while simultaneously teaching patience and the importance of waiting for and earning rewards.

For example, a parent might use this kit while their child is completing their homework. If the child has a hard time focusing on their assignment in front of them, then visual reminders can help them. For added encouragement, they have the opportunity to ask for help, take a break, and achieve rewards through the icons included in the set. 

PECS Tool Kit comes with instructions to make sure you are getting the most benefit from the set.

Spark Cards Sequence Cards Jr

Spark Innovations created a Jr set of sequence cards that work best for younger children. This box includes eight-story sets that speech therapists and educators have found beneficial in improving language skills, sentence structure, and word relation. 

With each story and card, critical thinking and problem-solving can be encouraged by prompting who, what, where, when, how, and why. Additionally, each story set contains six bright and illustrated cards to promote focus. 

SANTSUN Daily Conversation Starters Cards

SANTSUN’s unique conversation starters were created with both parents and children in mind. Half of the set’s sentences are to be used by the parents, and the other half is to be used by the child. 

Each card has a series of words and an image to help capture interest and boost memory. Your child can use the cards to start conversations, make requests, or learn new sentences and allow for the caregiver’s response.

Thought-Spot The Shoulds and Should Nots

The Shoulds and Should Nots book and cards help children with autism develop social and communication skills. They go through various daily situations that your child will front and identify the appropriate and inappropriate ways to respond during these situations. For example, this book covers a few situations such as proper behavior in the classroom, showing empathy, and eating correctly.

AbleNet QuickTalker FT 23

Last but not least is AbleNet’s QuickTalker as our #1 pick! This electronic communication board utilizes recorded voices as a method of communication. It’s customizable to whatever words you want to record. Alongside each prompt, you can add a visual symbol for better comprehension. Electronic tools, like the QuickTalker, have been a practical device for non-verbal children with autism. 

Choosing One For Your Child

It will be easier to find a board after identifying the purpose a PECS board will serve for your child. You might decide on stocking up and using several boards around the house, each with a specific role. 

If you and your child have the opportunity to try out one of these products, let us know! We would love to hear what you both thought of PECS.