Pyramid Consultant, Jo-Anne B. Matteo M.S. CCC-SLP, walks through each of the 6 Phases of PECS in addition to the protocol’s key characteristics.
Is it a plural (PECs)? Is it a possessive (PEC’s)? No, it is an acronym! PECS® stands for the Picture Exchange Communication System and it has 6 Phases!
Andy Bondy, Ph.D. and Lori Frost, M.S., CCC-SLP developed The Picture Exchange Communication System in 1985. PECS is an augmentative and alternative (AAC) communication system that has provided many learners with a way to request, develop vocabulary, ask questions and comment. PECS is not just a set of pictures. It is the systematic teaching of these pictures as a functional communication system for all ages and diagnoses.
PECS Phase |
Description |
Phase I: “How” to Communicate-Teach Spontaneous Requests  |
A learner is taught to pick up-reach-release a picture of a highly preferred item into the hand of a communication partner. Two people are used during this phase. |
Phase II: Distance and Persistence  |
A learner is taught to travel to the communication book, get the picture of a highly preferred item and travel to the communication partner to request the item. They are also taught to carry the communication book and to get the attention of the communication partner. |
Phase III: Picture Discrimination  |
Initially, the learner is taught to discriminate between a picture of a highly preferred item and a non-preferred item (Phase IIIA). Next, the learner is taught to discriminate among multiple pictures of items they want and need (Phase IIIB). They are also taught to go inside the book and flip through the pages of pictures organized by category. |
| Phase IV: Sentence Structure
Additional Vocabulary |
The learner is taught to construct a simple sentence by using an “I want” sentence starter placed on a sentence strip followed by a preferred or needed item. They are also taught to tap out the pictures on the Sentence Strip. Speech is encouraged during this phase but never demanded.
The learner is taught to expand their simple sentence to include adjectives, prepositions, verbs and any other part of speech (e.g. “I want to color with the green crayon”).
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| Phase V: Responding to a Requesting Question | This is the first time in the PECS protocol that the communication partner asks a question about what the leaner wants or needs. Questions include: What do you want? What else do you want? |
Phase VI: Commenting |
The learner is initially taught to respond to a commenting question such as: What do you see, what do you hear, what is it – by using various sentence starters: I see, I hear, It is. The ultimate goal is for the learners to spontaneously comment about the world around them. |
There is a huge body of research with over 240 articles that supports the effectiveness of PECS as an evidence-based protocol. PECS was developed as a functional communication system. Research has shown that when learners are given a functional communication system, speech can develop in some learners and it can decrease Contextually Inappropriate Behaviors if the function of the behavior is related to the inability to communicate wants, needs and comments.
For more information on how to teach each of these phases, we welcome you to attend a PECS Level 1 Training.
As a Speech-Language Pathologist, attending a PECS Level 1 Training changed my practice. I worked with many learners with limited repertoires in the areas of communication and PECS gave them the gift of communication. Everyone has the right to communicate so that they can live a happy life filled with endless opportunities.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT:
Ready to get started with PECS? Don’t hesitate to visit our training schedule to find a time that works for you.
Looking for more resources? Read all about PECS here and check out our Free Materials page for freely available worksheets, teaching resources, picture grids and more for you and your PECS user(s).
Need a Communication Book for your learner? Our PECS Starter Kit is the perfect starting place. Complete with a Large Communication Book, PECS 151 and a Book Strap. After your PECS Level 1 Training, your learners will be on their way to an effective, functional communication system!
Written by Jo-Anne B. Matteo M.S. CCC-SLP
© Pyramid Educational Consultants, LLC. 2023