DIY Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) 

Intended Population: The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is an alternative communication device for clients who are not currently utilizing any means of functional communication. The PECS device and training has demonstrated efficacy in children with Autism and other developmental disabilities. PECS has also shown promise for increasing functional communication skills in non-speaking adult populations (Stoner et al., 2006). PECS is ideal for clients who do not have access to (or are not able to use) an iPad or electronic communication devices

Steps to Create:

1. Purchase or download a 30-day
2. free trial of Boardmaker Studio. Create individualized picturecards

2. Print symbols to use as manipulatives

3. 
   

   3. Laminate the front and back sides of the symbols

   3. 
      
4. Unroll adhesive laminate and trim it to fit the strips of symbols. 

4. Cut out each individual picture card

5. Trim the loop (soft side) of the Velcro 
6. into 1in pieces and stick to the back of the laminated picture cards

6. Trim the 2” binder insert into an 
7. 10.5in strip to be used as the sentence strip

7.  Measure about 2” from the bottom of the binder and draw a line to cut on. Be sure that your sentence strip will be completely visible and that you are not cutting off more than necessary

8.  Cut the binder. Select the number of file folders for the number of desired categories. Cut the folders in half. Trim and hole punch them to fit the binder. Labels can be written on the tabs of the folders  

9.  Make sure the binder, sentence strip, and tabs line up before proceeding  

10. Apply the hook (hard) side of the Velcro to the top of the binder. Also add Velcro to the sentence strip so that it is moveable  

11. Apply hook each tab of the binder so laminated picture cards from each category can be sorted