Brookwood's Speech Therapist
Mrs. Sue Farnham
Mrs. Farnham works at Brookwood and also in the early childhood program. You will mainly see her in the mornings at Brookwood.
Contact Information:
phone: 616-455-0030 ext 22203
email: [email protected]
Contact Information:
phone: 616-455-0030 ext 22203
email: [email protected]
6 Phases to Picture Exchange Communication System
At Brookwood we use the Picture exchange communication system (PECS) to help our students communicate. Below our the 6 phases of PECS.
PECs is usually taught in six phases:
· Phase One: The communication partner makes a list of the child’s favorite items (usually beginning with foods). One of these items is selected for the first training session, and a picture of the item is made. That item can be placed under a clear container, so the child can see it, but not get it. If the child looks interested in the item, the communication partner gives the child the picture card. Then the child is prompted (usually by holding his/her hand and guiding it) to hand the picture card back to the communication partner . Once the communication partner receives the card, the request is spoken aloud (“Oh, you want the cookie! You can have it!”). At this point, the requested item (which has become the reinforcer) is given to the child.
· Phase Two: The communication partner moves slightly away from the child so that the child has to move towards the communication partner to place the picture card in his/her hand.
· Phase Three: The child is given more than one picture card. Now the child must choose which one represents a desired object, and then give this card to the communication partner . At this point, the child may be using a communication board or a binder in which to hold the cards.
· Phase Four: The child is given a card with the phrase "I want ____" on it. This card now must be used with the picture card showing what is desired. The idea is that the child will learn how to communicate using complete sentences. Even children who cannot yet read can learn to recognize the words as symbols on the cards.
· Phase Five: Before this point, the child has never been asked directly, "What do you want?" In this phase, the communication partner asks the child this direct question, and waits for the child to hand him/her a picture card. This builds the foundation for future communication when a parent needs to know the desires of his or her child.
· Phase Six: Once the child can use PECS with fluency and has generalized the system to more than one communication partner the child is taught how to comment on something s/he observes. The communication partner holds up an interesting object, asking the child, "What do you see?" at the same time pointing out the "I see ____" card. The child is then prompted to place the picture card representing the object next to the "I see ____" card. The parent then comments on the cards ("Yes! I see the airplane too"). In this way, the child learns how to communicate his or her observations and experiences to others.
http://autism.healingthresholds.com/therapy/picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs