PECS - Picture Exchange Communication System

J was recently diagnosed with Autism. We started using PECS, the Picture Exchange Communication System, to try to get J to tell us what he wants. We started a few weeks ago with pictures of things that he likes and he has just begun doing it well. I am SO proud.

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• pecs
• picture
• exchange
• communication
• system
• autism

[roflastc]

just out of curiosity: how does he react to the more generic pictograms? assuming you've tried them

[nicolajanes]

@roflastc Not as well, for sure. He looks at a picture and can understand what he sees. I feel fairly certain that he has trouble processing a black and white diagram. Now, at 7 years old, he's started using an iPad with Proloquo2go. Fully customizable, you can add your own photographs... fabulous! He's starting to use it, but his biggest issue, in my opinion, is that he's a bit lazy.

[roflastc]

@nicolajanes haha, lazy. Boys will be boys ofcourse. So it's more important for him to see a picture of *his cup* or could it be a colourfull picture of *a cup*? Als there's a series of generic pictograms that have a soft blue background instead of black. Who knows? I asked because it seems (to me) that i could be somewhat impractical to use the 5 by 7 photos everywhere.

[nicolajanes]

@roflastc Exactly right. We realized quickly that not only was it a pain in the butt to carry around pictures, but it we were always needing new ones and had to get the pic printed and then get the laminator out. And add a magnet or velcro to the back!  Too much. The iPad id VERY welcome addition to our household and makes customizing his communication needs a doddle.

And yes, HIS cup or a cup like the ones he uses is better.

[Abnormaldiversity]

Does he go over there spontaneously to grab a picture when he wants a snack?

[nicolajanes]

@Abnormaldiversity This video was recorded about 3 years ago and we're finding now that Jake's strength is in sign language rather than PECS. In fact, he's been using a combination of the two, and does sometimes spontaneously initiate communication. He's almost 7 now. Wow! Where did the time go?

[BeanDentist]

great video, such joy in 22 secs

[roflastc]

@nicolajanes I'm not sure if the Ipad is allready a well documented tool in working with children like your son but perhaps you could do a video on how you guys use it? Individual successes are far more powerful than what some clinic or dusty socialworker has to say.

[idunnook]

tt was really cute :)

[MKristineW]

haha, what a happy Mum! Hopefully that be me one day, we are still at the starting face with PECS :-)