PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) is a communication system that uses pictures to help nonverbal people communicate. It involves a two-tier certification process and benefits people of all ages with autism or other developmental disabilities by enabling them to create sentences. PECS teaches functional communication through a six-phase process where individuals learn to exchange pictures representing wants and needs. This helps reduce frustration and allows people to express themselves, get help, and function better in society.

1. PECS Picture Exchange
Communication System

2. Who can?
• To implement PECS one must complete a
two-tired PECS certification process

3. Who benefits most from PECS?
People of all ages with a range of disabilities
Commonly people with Autism and other
developmental disabilities

4. What does it able them to do?
• PECS enables them to create complex
sentences and does not limit them to a
few nouns

5. Imagine
• Could you imagine your world without
being able to communicate at all?!?!?
• I couldn’t…

6. Also helps…
• By teaching functional communication
My stomach
I need a
I need
I am in
I’m

7. Why
• One of the major characteristics with
Autism and developmental disabilities is
language communication
• Some are nonverbal with no
communication at all

8. Leads to…
Frustration Unhappiness Fear

9. Would you want your loved one
feeling this way…
I wouldn’t

10. Phase I & II
• Single icons are used
• No you do not need to be able to master
the matching skill
• Icons should be motivators and rein-
forcers

11. Phase III
• Focuses on building a vocabulary
• Discrimination level starts once students
has 6-12 pictures known
• Can then tell one from the other,
understanding what they mean
etc…

12. Phase IV
• “I want” icons
• Rein forcer (candy, cookie, drink)
• Placed on sentence strip pointed to in the
right order as you would read it

13. Phase V
• Opportunities for the person to request
something
• Hide tiles so they are not readily available,
make them have to look for them and get
them out

14. Phase VI
• Ability to request powerful rein forcers on
their own and in response to questions
• Move into commenting…
I like that That looks good
This taste good

15. Functioning
• To function in society we need to be able
to

16. Ability
• Being able to speak will open many doors

17. Expressing Feelings

18. Getting Help

19. Everyday Things…

20. For more Information
Visit
PECS
It’s worth it...