| Service Description
|
The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) was developed over 20 years ago as a unique augmentative, alternative training package that allows children and adults with autism and other communication difficulties to initiate communication. First used in the United States, PECS has received worldwide recognition for focusing on the initiation component of communication.
PECS begins with teaching students to exchange a picture of a desired item with a teacher, who immediately honours the request. Verbal prompts are not used, thus encouraging spontaneity and avoiding prompt dependency. The system goes on to teach discrimination of symbols and how to construct simple "sentences." Ideas for teaching commenting and other language structures such as asking and answering questions are also incorporated. It has been reported that both pre-school and older students have begun to develop speech when using PECS. The system has been successful with adolescents and adults who have a wide array of communicative, cognitive and physical difficulties.
Pyramid Educational Consultants are the only source of training in PECS as well as consultancy services for schools, community settings and parents. We have also developed a wide range of resources to help you with PECS implementation.
The main training is in the form of a 2-day workshop and it will give you the theoretical background and practical skills to get started. You can find a list of workshops in various locations throughout the UK on our website.
All workshops are presented by qualified consultants, working for Pyramid and together with the co-developers of PECS, Dr Andrew Bondy and Lori Frost.
|
