the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
How a Child's Progress Is Measured in PECS
Progress in PECS is measured by a child's movement through its six structured phases — from a first picture exchange to forming sentences and commenting — while therapists track independence, spontaneity, frequency and generalisation across people and vocabulary. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
When your child first hands you a picture to ask for what they want, that small exchange is a giant leap in communication — and yes, it can be measured beautifully.
In short
Progress in the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is measured by moving through its six structured phases — from a child's very first picture exchange to building full sentences and commenting on the world around them. Therapists track how independently, how often, and how spontaneously your child communicates, alongside the growing range of pictures, vocabulary and people they communicate with. It is steady, observable and celebrated step by step — not a pass-or-fail test.How progress is tracked
PECS follows a clear ladder, and your child's movement up it is the measure of progress:- Phase I — How to communicate: the child learns to pick up a single picture and hand it to a partner to get a desired item. Success is the first independent exchange.
- Phase II — Distance and persistence: the child travels further to their book and to a person to communicate, showing motivation and initiative.
- Phase III — Picture discrimination: the child chooses the right picture from several — a key cognitive step.
- Phase IV — Sentence structure: building "I want ___" strips, the start of real grammar.
- Phase V — Answering questions: responding to "What do you want?"
- Phase VI — Commenting: "I see ___", "I hear ___" — communicating beyond just requesting.
Within each phase, therapists watch four things: independence (fewer prompts over time), spontaneity (initiating without being asked), frequency (more exchanges across the day), and generalisation (using PECS with different people, places and an expanding vocabulary). Data is recorded session by session, so you can see real, charted movement — and many children later bridge from pictures towards spoken words.
The Pinnacle way
This is general information, not a diagnosis — a clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care. Our therapists administer a structured, clinician-led assessment to find your child's communication starting point, then map PECS progress phase by phase. Explore [Pinnacle Blooms Network](/), our speech therapy programme, and how your child's profile is built through the AbilityScore®.Trusted sources
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) guidance on augmentative and alternative communication; WHO ICD-11 and developmental communication frameworks; American Academy of Pediatrics resources on supporting communication development.Next step — Want to see exactly where your child is and chart their next milestone? Book a communication assessment with a Pinnacle clinician.
What to watch
Watch for growing independence (fewer prompts), more spontaneous exchanges across the day, choosing the correct picture, and using PECS with different people and a wider vocabulary.
Try this at home
Keep the picture book always within reach and create lots of small, natural reasons to ask — a favourite snack just out of view invites your child to initiate an exchange.
Trusted sources
Developed by SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network · Last reviewed 2026-06-10 · reviewed every 365 days
This is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre, under qualified clinician care.
Frequently asked
What are the six phases of PECS?
The six phases are: how to communicate (first exchange), distance and persistence, picture discrimination, sentence structure, answering questions, and commenting. Moving through these phases is the main marker of progress.
Does PECS progress mean my child won't talk?
Not at all. PECS supports communication first, and for many children it actually helps spoken words emerge over time. The aim is to give your child a reliable way to communicate while encouraging speech where it develops.
How often is progress reviewed?
Therapists record data every session, tracking independence, spontaneity and frequency, so progress is reviewed continuously and discussed with you regularly rather than only at long intervals.