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The
Picture
Exchange
Communication
System©
Developed
by
Lori
A.
Frost,
M.S.,
C.C.C.
and
Andrew
S.
Bondy
PhD.
The
Picture
Exchange
Communication
System
(PECS)
is
a
unique
augmentative
alternative
training
package
that
allows
children
and
adults
with
autism
and
other
communication
deficits
to
initiate
communication.
First
used
at
the
Delaware
Autistic
Program,
PECS
has
received
worldwide
recognition
for
focusing
on
the
initiation
components
of
communication.
PECS
does
not
require
complex
or
expensive
materials.
It
was
created
with
educators,
resident
care
providers
and
families
in
mind,
and
so
it
can
be
readily
used
in
a
variety
of
settings.
PECS
begins
with
teaching
a
student
to
exchange
a
picture
of
a
desired
item
with
a
communication
partner,
who
immediately
honors
the
request.
Verbal
prompts
such
as
"What
do
you
want?"
are
not
used,
thus
building
immediate
initiation
and
avoiding
prompt
dependency.
The
system
goes
on
to
teach
discrimination
of
symbols
and
then
puts
them
all
together
in
simple
"sentences."
Children
are
also
taught
to
answer
questions
and
comment.
Many
preschoolers
using
PECS
have
developed
some
speech.
The
system
has
been
successful
with
adolescents
and
adults
who
have
a
wide
array
of
communicative,
cognitive,
and
physical
difficulties.
The
foundation
for
the
system
is
the
PECS
Training
Manual,
written
by
Ms.
Frost
and
Dr.
Bondy.
The
training
manual
is
recognized
by
professionals
in
the
fields
of
communication
and
behaviour
analysis
as
one
of
the
most
innovative
systems
available
PECS
is
especially
successful
if
appropriately
combined
with
elements
of
behavioural
analysis.
The
manual
offers
many
suggestions
on
assessing
reinforcers,
prompting,
fading
and
other
issues.
The
authors
encourage
PECS
users
to
create
an
environment
that
enhances
and
encourages
communication
through
the
use
of
the
Pyramid
Approach
to
Education.
PECS
Training
Manual
provides
all
of
the
necessary
information
to
implement
PECS
effectively.
It
guides
readers
through
the
six
phases
of
training
and
provides
teaching
strategies,
numerous
examples,
methods
of
introducing
new
technology,
answers
to
common
questions,
helpful
hints
and
templates
for
data
and
progress
reporting.
Approximate
Cost:
$65.00
(Canadian)
PECS
Video
provides
an
overview
of
the
potential
benefits
of
using
PECS.
It
vividly
portrays
examples
of
each
training
phase
within
PECS,
in
school,
home
and
community
settings
with
a
variety
of
communicative
partners.
Approximate
Cost:
$85.25
(Canadian)
PECS
Communication
Books,
PECS
Aprons,
Break
Cards,
The
Visual
Reinforcement
System,
Wait
Cards,
as
well
as
the
Pyramid
Approach
to
Education
Manual:
and
training
in
PIC
System
are
also
available.
No
symbols
are
included.
In
the
PECS
Training
Manual
the
authors
indicate
that
they
use
the
Mayer-Johnson
Picture
Communication
Symbols
,
some
other
options
are
discussed.
For
more
information
www.pecs.com
Initially
requires
two
people
to
assist
individual,
it
has
been
suggested
that
one
could
be
a
volunteer.
This
system
is
being
used
successfully
with
adults
with
developmental
disabilities
by
Community
Living
Algoma,
Sault
Ste.
Marie,
Ontario
in
conjunction
with
Four
Points*
Inc.,
Oakville,
Ontario.
Individuals
using
this
system
are
increasingly
able
to
make
decisions,
indicate
preferences
&
needs,
communicate
with
others
about
their
day,
outing,
etc...
| Developed
by: |
 |
Pyramid
Educational
Consultants,
Inc.
226
West
Park
Place
Suite
1
Newark,
DE
19713
Telephone:
(888)
732-7462
Fax:
(302)
368-2516
E-mail:
pyramid@pecs.com
Web
site:
www.pecs.com
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