The Effect of the PECS Alternative Communication System on Vocal Speech Acquisition in Children with Autism

This article describes the positive effect of teaching the PECS (Picture exchange communication system) alternative communication system on vocal speech acquisition in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Materials from an empirical study of three children with ASD and other mental disorders aged 2—4 years are presented. Measurements were made of the number of communication initiatives in children, in the form of requests using PECS pictures for three months. As a result of teaching communication using the PECS system, two out of three children had vocalization responses, in the form of words and phrasal speech. All three children demonstrated a decrease in the number of challenging behavior episodes as they learned functional communication. It was found out that learning to ask with the help of PECS has a positive effect on the vocalizations in children with autism and other mental disorders. Children trained to communicate using the PECS alternative communication system demonstrate less challenging behavior, acquire functional communication skills, which, in general, improves the quality of life of the child’s family

1. Ryskina V.Ya. (ed.) Al’ternativnaya i dopolnitel’naya kommunikatsiya v rabote s det’mi i vzroslymi, imeyushchimi intellektual’nye i dvigatel’nye narusheniya, rasstroistva autisticheskogo spektra: Sbornik statei [Alternative and additional communication in working with children and adults with intellectual and motor disabilities, autism spectrum disorders: Digest]. Saint Petersburg: Publ. Skifiya, 2016. 288 p. ISBN 978-5-00025-076-1.
2. Cooper J.O., Heron T.E., Heward W.L. Prikladnoi analiz povedeniya [Applied Behavior Analysis]. Moscow: Publ. Praktika, 2016. Pp. 348—349, 456—472. ISBN 978-5-89816-157-6.
3. Sundberg M.L. VB-MAPP. Otsenka vekh razvitiya verbal’nogo povedeniya i postroeniya individual’nogo plana vmeshatel’stva [Verbal behavior milestones assessment and placement program: The VB-MAPP]: [In 2 parts: P. 1]. Protokol [Protocol]. Rishon LeZion: Publ. MEDIAL, 2013. 108 p. ISBN 978-965-559-012-8.
4. Sundberg M.L., Partington J.W. Formirovanie rechevykh navykov u detei s autizmom i inymi ogranichennymi vozmozhnostyami v razvitii [Teaching Language to Children with Autism or Other Developmental Disabilities]. Pleasant Hill: Partington Behavior Analysts, 2013. 238 p.
5. Von Tetzchner S., Martinsen H. Vvedenie v al’ternativnuyu kommunikatsiyu: zhesty i graficheskie simvoly dlya lyudei s dvigatel’nymi i intellektual’nymi narusheniyami, a takzhe rasstroistvami autisticheskogo spektra. Moscow: Publ. Terevinf, 2014. 432 p. ISBN 978-5-4212-0194-6.
6. Frost L., Bondy A. Sistema al’ternativnoi kommunikatsii s pomoshch’yu kartochek PECS: Rukovodstvo dlya pedagogov [The Picture Exchange Communication System Training Manual]. Moscow: Publ. Terevinf, 2011. 416 p. ISBN 978-5- 4212-0026-0.
7. Bondy A., Frost L. The Picture Exchange Communication System. Behavior Modification, 2001, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 725— 744. DOI:10.1177/0145445501255004
8. Bondy A., Frost L. The Picture Exchange Communication System. Focus on Autistic Behavior, 1994, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 1—19. DOI:10.1177/108835769400900301
9. Bondy A., Frost, L. The Delaware Autistic Program. In Harris S.L., Handleman J.S. (eds.) Preschool Education Programs for Children with Autism. Austin: Publ. Pro-Ed, 1994. Pp. 37—54. ISBN 0-89079587-8.
10. Bondy A. The Pyramid Approach to Education: Guide to functional ABA. 2nd ed. Newark: Publ. Pyramid Educational Consultants, 2011. Pp. 74—94, 106—113, 190—209. ISBN 978-1-92859820-6.
11. Bondy A. The unusual suspects: myths and misconceptions associated with PECS. The Psychological Record, 2012, vol. 62, pp.  789—816. DOI:10.1007/BF03395836
12. Carpenter M., Charlop-Christy M., LeBlanc L., Le L. An evaluation of spontaneous speech and verbal imitation in children with autism after learning the picture exchange communication system (PECS). Paper presented at the meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis: Orlando, Florida. 1998. p. 1—19.
13. Carpenter M., Charlop-Christy M.H. Verbal and nonverbal communication in children with autism after learning the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). Paper presented at the meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis Conference: Washington, D.C. May 2000. p. 2—5.
14. Frost L., Daly M., Bondy A. Speech features with and without access to PECS for children with autism. Paper presented at meeting of the New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community. Long Beach, New Jersey. April 1997. p. 1—3.
15. Le L., Charlop-Christy M.H. PECS and social behavior. Paper presented at the meeting of the California Association for Behavior Analysis: San Francisco, California. February 1999. p. 1—3.
16. Le L., Charlop-Christy M.H., Carpenter M., Kellet K. Assessment of social behaviors following acquisition of PECS for children with autism. Paper presented at the meeting of the Association for Behavior Analysis Conference: Chicago, Illinois. May 1999. p. 1—3.
17. Mirenda P., Erickson K.A. Augmentative communication and literacy. In Wetherby A.M., Prizant B.M. (eds.) Autism spectrum disorders: A transactional developmental perspective. Baltimore: Publ. Brookes, 2000. Pp. 333—369. ISBN 1-55766-445-5.
18. Romski M.A., Sevcik R.A. Breaking the speech barrier: Language development through augmented means. Baltimore: Publ. Brookes, 1996. 197 p. ISBN 1-55766-252-5.
19. Sigafoos J., O’Reilly M., DrasgowE., Reichle J. Strategies to achieve socially acceptable escape and avoidance. In Reichle J., Beukelman D.R., Light J. (eds.) Exemplary Practices for Beginning Communicators: Implications for AAC. Baltimore: Publ. Brookes, 2002. Pp. 157—186. ISBN 1-55766-529-X.
20. Schwartz I., Garfinkle A., Bauer J. The Picture Exchange Communication System: Communicative Outcomes for Young Children with Disabilities. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 1998, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 10—15.
21. Skinner B.F. Science and Human Behavior. New York: Publ. Macmillan, 1953. Pp. 227—242.
22. Skinner B.F. Selection by consequences. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 1984, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 477—481. DOI:10.1017/ S0140525X0002673X
23. Skinner B.F. The control of human behavior. Transactions of the New York Academy of Science, 1955, vol. 17, no. 7 Series II, pp. 547—551. DOI:10.1111/j.2164-0947.1955.tb02820.x