PECSPICTURE EXCHANGE

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Melissa BurleighBedDipT M (Special education)

A bit about me…..

Language and Communicatio

nDifficulties with verbal and non verbal communication

Social Interaction

Difficulties with the ‘rules’ of interaction

Flexible thinking and behaviourE.g. Difficulty imagining what others are thinking, imagining

and coping with change. Holding special (sometimes obsessive)

interests

The Triad of Impairments

PECS PECS gives children a choice and a voice 99% success rate with children Its based on motivating children using a

selection of desirable reinforcers The politics

PECS

PECS was developed in 1985 Based on principles of ABA- Applied

Behaviour Analysis Teaches functional communication that is

immediately useful Can be used across all ages and

disabilities Appropriate for anyone who has difficulty

with speech

What about Speech?

Implementing PECS does not mean we are disregarding speech

By implementing PECS we are addressing the development of speech

PECS can be used with learners who have a small amount of speech or unclear speech

PECS teaches functional communication it helps organise and expand language

Communication develops before speech For some young people PECS is the first clear way

they can communicate and let their choices be known

DVD time…

PECS

Stage 1-Intiation; pick up, reach, release

I’m fun, I have fun things, play with me- What motivates the child?

Communication partner and silent prompter

40 exchanges a day

Stage 2-distance and persistence; Persist against obstacles, each student

has communication book

PECS

Stage 3-discrimination Desired item v’s undesirable item Caterpillar v’s pencil The new behaviour is to choose The technical stuff PECS levi.wlmp

Stage 4-sentence starters I want If they do it better than before reinforce more Attributes-size, colour, shape

PECS

Stage 5-commenting and answering questions

I see, I hear

Stage 6-Answering higher level questions

I think, I taste, I smell, I feel Moving to other communication systems

PECS helps to organise and expand language

Research Andy Bondy and Lori frost 1994

PECS throughout the day

Other ideas; Snack time Art PE