Sometimes, a child might experience delay in developing communication.

The picture exchange communication system empowers the child with the ability to express his needs prior to developing speech.

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) was developed by Lori Frost and Dr Andrew Bondy, as a unique augmentative/ alternative training package that allows children and adults with autism and other communication deficits to initiate communication.

PECS begins with teaching a child to exchange a picture of a desired item with a communicative partner, who immediately honors the request. Verbal prompts are not used, thus building immediate initiation and avoiding prompt dependency.

The system teaches discrimination of symbols and then puts them all together in simple "sentences."

As a side effect, many preschoolers using PECS also begin developing speech.