About The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Developed by Lori A. Frost, MS, CCC-SLP and Andrew Bondy, PhD. The Picture Exchange Communication System is a unique AAC system which was originally developed for use with children with autism and PDD as young as 18 months of age. Over time, PECS has been modified and gained popularity. It is now used with individuals of all ages and with a wide variety of communicative disorders. The most unique feature of the PECS is that it teaches children to initiate communication. Children using this system are taught to approach and give a picture of a desired item to a communicative partner in exchange for that item. By doing so, the child initiates a communicative act for a concrete outcome within a social context. PECS is simple to use and many children learn very quickly to make requests. It is a system that does not require complex materials, expensive equipment or highly technical training. It can be used in a variety of settings, including the home, classroom, and community. |