What Is PECS
PECS stands for Picture Exchange Communication System. It's a structured communication method where a child hands over a picture card to request something they want or need, rather than using spoken words or gestures. The adult responds immediately to the exchange by providing the requested item or action.
PECS was developed in 1985 by Andy Bondy and Lori Frost specifically for children with autism and other speech delays. It starts with single-picture exchanges (a child hands over a card for "juice") and progresses through six phases to more complex communication, including sentence strips and answering questions. The system works because it leverages a child's natural motivation to get something they want, turning that motivation into a communication opportunity.
Why It Matters
Many children with limited speech or language processing difficulties become frustrated because they can't tell you what they need. This frustration often leads to meltdowns, aggression, or self-injury. PECS gives these children a reliable way to communicate before they develop spoken language, which significantly reduces behavioral incidents tied to unmet needs.
Research shows that children using PECS show improved engagement and reduced problem behaviors within weeks of starting the system. For some children, PECS serves as a bridge to speech development. For others, it becomes a primary communication method that coexists with speech or sign language.
PECS is especially valuable for children with sensory processing differences because it doesn't require them to process spoken language, make eye contact, or use precise motor control. A child can hand over a picture even when overwhelmed or dysregulated, which is when communication breaks down most.
How It Works
- Phase 1 (Physical Exchange): An adult holds a picture card the child wants (like a picture of chips). The child reaches for it, and the adult immediately puts the card in the child's hand and gives them the actual chips. This teaches the core concept: exchange = access.
- Phase 2 (Distance and Persistence): The picture card is placed farther away so the child has to travel to get it and bring it to the adult. This builds independence and effort.
- Phase 3 (Picture Discrimination): Multiple picture cards are available. The child learns to select the correct picture for what they actually want, not just any card.
- Phase 4 (Sentence Structure): The child arranges pictures on a sentence strip. "I want chips" becomes three cards: "I" + "want" + picture of chips.
- Phase 5 (Responding to Questions): The child answers "What do you want?" by building a sentence strip with the correct picture.
- Phase 6 (Commenting): The child can make statements beyond requests ("I see a dog" or "That's red"). This is more abstract and comes later in development.
Most children move through phases 1-3 in their first months. Phases 4-6 develop over 1-2 years depending on the child's learning speed and language capacity.
PECS and ABA Therapy
PECS is often paired with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy because both use reinforcement principles. In ABA, PECS becomes one tool within a larger behavior intervention plan. A therapist might use PECS during structured learning time while also teaching the same communication goal through other methods (like verbal prompting or signing).
ABA therapists track how often a child initiates communication with PECS, how accurate their selections are, and whether they're generalizing the skill across settings. They adjust the difficulty level and reinforcement based on data, not assumptions.
Sensory and Emotional Factors
PECS works well for sensory-sensitive children because it's visually concrete and doesn't demand auditory processing. A child who shuts down during loud, overstimulating moments can still communicate via pictures. For kids with apraxia or dyspraxia who struggle with motor planning for speech, PECS removes that barrier.
Emotionally, PECS gives children control and predictability. They know that handing over a picture leads to a specific result. This sense of competence reduces anxiety and builds confidence, which supports overall emotional regulation.
Common Questions
- Will PECS prevent my child from learning to talk? No. Research shows that approximately 70% of children who start PECS eventually develop functional speech. PECS doesn't replace speech; it supports communication development and reduces frustration while speech emerges.
- How many picture cards do we need to start? You begin with 1-3 highly preferred pictures (food, a favorite toy, a favorite activity). You add new pictures gradually over weeks as the child masters each phase. Most families use 20-50 pictures within the first year depending on the child's interests and communication needs.
- Where do we use PECS at home? You place picture boards in the spaces where decisions happen: the kitchen, playroom, transition areas. A child might use pictures to request snacks, toys, or outside time. The key is making them accessible in real moments when the child actually wants something.
Related Concepts
- AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) is the broader category PECS falls under. It includes any communication method beyond speech, from sign language to speech-generating devices.
- Functional Communication Training teaches children to replace problem behaviors with communication. PECS is often the communication method taught in FCT.
- Visual Prompts support children in following steps and understanding expectations. Picture boards