PECS

Communication. Picture. Learning. Daily Living Skills. Behavior.

Steps to Take

Step 1: PECS Cards: Get the PECS cards that you will be using. At first, use basic needs cards then add more as the child gets used to using them. Place the cards in between you and the child.
Step 2: Reinforcers: Think about what the child enjoys (a toy; book; a fidget item; food). Put the reinforcer just outside of the child's reach.
Step 3: Make It Fun: Use the reinforcer and make it look fun. When the child goes to reach for the reinforcer gently guide their hand to the PECS cards.
Step 4: Help: Help the child pick up a picture card. The child is then going to place it in the adult's open hand.
Step 5: Hand It Over: As soon as the picture card is in the adult's hand, the reinforcer should be given to the child.
Step 6: As They Learn: As the child learns how to use PECS, the adult should help less and less. In time, the child should be able to use PECS by themselves.

Tip 1: Start off with only a couple PECS or picture cards. Highly desired food items or toys can be a great starting point.
Tip 2: Keep physical items out of reach during the teaching phase. You are trying to teach your child the power of communication by exchanging the card for the physical item. If they can get the physical item on their own, such as snack foods in an accessible drawer, your child will likely choose to get this on their own and we have lost a teaching opportunity.
Tip 3: Post the picture cards in a consistent location. You can keep all picture cards in one location or post them based on the item location (i.e. drink and food cards posted on the refrigerator; toy cards near the toy closet).
Tip 4: Help as much as possible at the beginning.
Tip 5: Model verbal language based on the child's request with a picture. For example, if your child hands you a picture of "apple" when choosing snack, say "You said, 'I want an apple.'" when taking the PECS card.