What Is PECS?
The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a specific AAC approach developed by Andy Bondy and Lori Frost. It teaches non-verbal and minimally verbal autistic children to communicate by exchanging picture cards with a communication partner.
PECS has over 30 years of research support and is one of the most studied AAC approaches in autism. It teaches initiation — the child goes to the board, selects a picture, and hands it to the listener. This is a distinct and valuable skill even for children who later develop speech.
The 6 Phases of PECS
Phase 1: Physical exchange — child learns to pick up a picture and place it in someone's hand to get a desired item.
Phase 2: Distance and persistence — child travels to get the picture and finds the listener across the room.
Phase 3: Picture discrimination — choosing the correct picture from multiple options.
Phase 4: Sentence structure — building "I want [picture]" strips.
Phase 5: Responsive requesting — answering "What do you want?"
Phase 6: Commenting — responding to "What do you see?" with "I see [picture]."
Getting Started with PECS in India
Training: PECS requires 2-day training for implementers. The Pyramid Educational Products (PECS creators) offer workshops in India, and several Indian SLPs are certified trainers.
Materials: Laminated picture cards (print and laminate yourself), Velcro, a binder. Total cost: ₹500–1500 DIY. Commercial sets cost ₹3,000–8,000.
Who implements: SLP leads, but parents and teachers must implement consistently across settings.
Digital Alternative
Autism Saathi's AAC board follows similar principles to PECS with a touch-screen interface — free and available immediately.