Philosophy
The training protocol is based on B.F. Skinner’s book Verbal Behavior. Functional verbal operants are systematically taught using prompting and reinforcement strategies that will lead to independent communication. Verbal prompts are not used during the early phases, thus building immediate initiation and avoiding prompt dependency. PECS begins with teaching a student to exchange a picture of a desired item with a teacher/communicative partner, who immediately honors the request. After the student learns to spontaneously request for a desired item, the system goes on to teach discrimination among symbols and then how to construct a simple sentence. In the most advanced phases, individuals are taught to respond to questions and to comment. Additionally, advanced language concepts such as size, shape, color, number, etc. are also taught so the student can make their message more specific. For example, I want big yellow ball.
PECS is intended to be combined with elements of behavior analysis.
Read more about this topic: Picture Exchange Communication System
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—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945)
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—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)