Unlocking Communication: How the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Empowers Nonverbal Individuals

Neuronest collective Team



Communication is the foundation of human connection. For individuals who are nonverbal or have limited speech, expressing needs, desires, and emotions can be challenging. This is where the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) offers a powerful, accessible solution.

What is PECS?

PECS, or Picture Exchange Communication System, is an evidence-based communication tool developed in the 1980s by Dr. Andrew Bondy and Lori Frost. It uses pictures and symbols to help individuals communicate, particularly those on the autism spectrum or with speech delays.

Unlike some other communication systems, PECS doesn’t require prior speech or sign language skills. Instead, it teaches individuals to exchange pictures for things they want or need.

How Does PECS Work?

PECS is taught in six phases, starting with simple exchanges and gradually building to more complex communication:

1. Phase 1: Physical Exchange — Learning to pick up a picture and hand it to a communication partner.


2. Phase 2: Distance and Persistence — Teaching the communicator to go to the partner and persist in communication.


3. Phase 3: Picture Discrimination — Choosing between two or more pictures to request different things.


4. Phase 4: Sentence Structure — Building simple sentences like “I want + [item]” using a sentence strip.


5. Phase 5: Answering Questions — Learning to answer “What do you want?” by selecting the correct picture.


6. Phase 6: Commenting — Using PECS to make comments, like “I see + [item].”



Why PECS Matters

Promotes independence in communication

Reduces frustration and behavioral challenges by providing a voice

Supports speech development for some individuals

Adaptable to individual needs, cultures, and languages


Who Can Benefit?

Autistic children and adults

Individuals with speech delays or apraxia

People with Down syndrome or cerebral palsy

Anyone who needs a visual way to communicate


PECS in Everyday Life

Imagine a child who cannot speak but loves apples. By learning to hand a picture of an apple to their caregiver, they are empowered to make choices, form relationships, and express preferences. PECS creates these opportunities daily.

Final Thoughts

PECS is more than just pictures; it’s a pathway to connection. Whether at home, in therapy, or in schools, PECS can transform the way nonverbal individuals interact with their world.

At NeuroNest Collective, we believe every individual deserves the right to communicate in their own way. PECS is one beautiful tool among many in the world of supportive communication.


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Want to learn more about communication strategies for autistic children? Stay connected with us here at NeuroNest Collective for more inclusive, empowering resources.

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