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Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
Shanti Kurada
PECS is a communication system for individuals who are not yet using speech as their primary mode of communication. This could be children or adults with or without autism who struggle with speech and language. They may have no speech or emerging speech. They may have a lot of language but tend to not use it unless prompted or in response to specific questions. They may struggle with articulation, making most of their speech unintelligible. They may use speech but without seeming to address the other person, so they appear to be mumbling to themselves. All of these individuals can benefit from using PECS. Read More
The above video is presented by PECS founders, Speech Language Pathologist Lori Frost and Dr. Andy Bondy. It shows how the six phases are implemented in detail.
James McDonald, Ph. D.
Dr. James McDonald, Professor of Speech and Language Pathology and Developmental Disabilities at Ohio State University, explains the common problems interfering with preparing for speech and discusses what children need to do before speech.
Patti Hamaguchi, MA, CCC-SLP
Founder and Executive Director, Hamaguchi Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologists
Functional Communication Training
Functional Communication Training
Shanti Kurada
Imagine for a minute that you have been persuaded to attend a rock concert by your friends. But once you are there, you find the sound level to be unbearably loud. Although your friends seem to be having a great time, you can’t stand to stay a moment longer. You try to leave but you are blocked by crowds. You say, “Excuse me”, but no one seems to understand you. They continue blocking you while they keep enjoying the concert. They look at you but ignore you. What are you likely to do? Chances are, you might yell at them.
Something similar happens when an individual with autism tries to communicate his discomfort or fear or agitation and the people around him fail to respond because they do not understand his message or signal. The fear/anxiety/agitation builds up to a point where the individual has an outburst. Functional Communication Training gives him a way to communicate his needs and have them met immediately and avoid the outburst. It is therefore one of the most important things to teach, especially when verbal abilities are limited. Read More
Image Courtesy: Attainment Company https://www.attainmentcompany.com/
Note: Shown to the left is as an example of an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device that can be used for Functional Communication Training. Autism Learning Community does not endorse or recommend any particular products or services.
Patti Hamaguchi, M.A., CCC-SLP
Patti Hamaguchi addresses questions on pitch and tone, communicating feelings, recounting incidents, and other issues that parents encounter.
Mitra Ahani, M.A., CCC-SLP,
Founder and Program Director, Thrive Therapy and Social Center
"What I realized was that there is great power in connection and trust. We forget sometimes what life must be like for some of our kids on the spectrum. We forget how difficult it must be for them to develop relationships of any type, much less with strangers whom they see once or twice a week and who make difficult demands upon them. Without a connection and trust, real progress is nearly impossible."
Auditory Comprehension
Auditory Comprehension
Patti Hamaguchi, M.A., CCC-SLP
In this series, Patti Hamaguchi helps parents understand their child's auditory comprehension challenges, discusses strategies to address them, and shares helpful resources.
Assessing and Treating Apraxia
Assessing and Treating Apraxia
Elizabeth Ho, M.A., CCC-SLP and Alexia Mazzone, M.A., CCC-SLP ,
Meaningful, effective, and efficient communication is an essential part of life for both children and adults. Communication allows us to express our ideas, make our basic wants and needs known, and connect with the world around us.
When people think of communication, the first thing that comes to mind is the production of sounds and words to share a message with others. This is referred to as verbal communication, or communication that involves intentionally producing specific sounds to make words. For most children, verbal speech emerges naturally and appears easy and effortless—an automatic motor plan that ensures correct production of each sound and combination. When development is not typical, however, producing the sounds that make up speech can be difficult. For many children with ASD, for example, combining sounds into words and sentences can be very challenging. These challenges can make it difficult to communicate basic wants and needs, leading to frustration for both the parent and child. Read More
James Gilroy, Assistive Technologist
James Gilroy emphasizes the importance of the user's individual needs in selecting devices and apps that will enhance their communication.
"The process of looking for AAC systems is as varied as the individuals that use them. An iPad is not the solution for every child; however the interactive nature and the ability to store foreseeable vocabulary and create and edit new vocabulary are definitely some advantages of a tablet such as an iPad. "
Mitra Ahani, M.A., CCC-SLP
Founder and Program Director, Thrive Therapy and Social Center
Each and every one of my students has inspired me, amazed me and humbled me. I’ll share with you a story of inspiration and education about one of my students, a boy who has learnt as much from us as he has taught us.
Jimmy was a mischievous boy from the start. When I met him, he was 8 and already teasing us. A group of us sat at a table while he whispered in his native language to his mother. I asked her what he was saying and she responded “Who stinks?” This was a rote phrase he used to be silly. Not only was he funny, he was also the master of manipulation. He worked us all over to create the environment he wanted. He was bubbling over with potential and yet, pretending he couldn’t do much. At times, he would lie on the ground and refuse to get up. When he spoke, it was always in a whisper and his lips would barely move. When asked to carry something or to help, his hands would go limp instantly. Read More
Disclaimer
Disclaimer
Autism Learning Community does not endorse any of the therapies, interventions, or legal/financial strategies discussed by the professionals or parents on this website. Information on this website is general in nature and is not intended as direct or authorized medical, legal, educational, or financial advice. The information is to be used as a starting point for building awareness about the available options and learning to navigate resources. Users are encouraged to conduct further research based on their child's individual needs and seek direct advice from professionals they know and trust.
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