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The Myths and Misconceptions Regarding PECS
Picture Exchange Communication System otherwise known as PECS, is a common alternative augmentative communication system that is utilized with a wide variety of individuals with different cognitive, physical and communication impairments. There are quite a few myths and misconceptions surrounding PECS, one of the most popular being that if you are using pictures, you are using PECS. Although PECS does use pictures, there is a specific protocol for teaching the expressive use of pictures for an individual to communicate their wants and needs. There are six phases that begin with teaching the individual to give a picture of a desired item to the person they are interacting with. The remaining five phases include introducing attributes such as color and size as well as discriminating between pictures and how to to use them to form sentences. In the more advanced phases, individuals are taught how to use modifiers, answer questions, and make comments. PECS has been used with individuals with various diagnoses such as aphasia, apraxia, Alzheimer’s, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, cognitive impairments, and more. Not only can PECS provide an effective means of communication for non-verbal individuals, but it can also teach important skills to verbal individuals as well, which is another common misconception regarding PECS.
– Jessica D.
