the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
What goals does PECS work on?
PECS works on helping a child communicate intentionally — initiating interaction, requesting wants and needs, discriminating between pictures, building sentences, and answering and commenting — while reducing frustration and often supporting spoken language. A clinical AbilityScore® and any diagnosis are formed only at a Pinnacle Blooms Network centre under qualified clinician care.
When words are hard to find, a single picture handed to you can be the first joyful "I want to tell you something".
In short
The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) works on one big, beautiful goal: helping a child communicate on purpose — to start an interaction and make their needs and thoughts known, even before spoken words arrive. It builds skills step by step, from exchanging a single picture for something a child wants, right up to building sentences and commenting on the world. PECS supports — and often encourages — speech, while giving a child a reliable voice from day one.The goals PECS builds, step by step
- Initiating communication — the very first goal: the child learns to spontaneously hand over a picture to request, rather than waiting to be prompted. This sense of "I can start a conversation" is the heart of PECS.
- Requesting (asking for wants and needs) — exchanging pictures for favourite foods, toys or activities, so communication brings a real, motivating result.
- Building distance and persistence — travelling across a room to find a partner and a picture, so communication works anywhere, with anyone.
- Discriminating between pictures — choosing the right picture to say exactly what is meant.
- Building sentences — combining pictures ("I want" + item) on a sentence strip, growing toward richer, more specific messages.
- Answering and commenting — responding to "What do you want?", and later commenting ("I see…", "I hear…") to share attention and ideas, not only to request.
Throughout, a key aim is to reduce frustration — when a child can express a need, distress and challenging behaviour often ease, and many children's spoken language grows alongside picture use rather than instead of it.
When PECS might help your child
PECS is often considered for children who understand more than they can say, who have few or no spoken words, or who find it hard to start communicating. A speech and language therapist assesses whether PECS, another communication approach, or a blend suits your child best — every child's path is different.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. Across [70+ centres](/) our therapists shape PECS within a child's wider plan, often woven into speech therapy, so a profile from the AbilityScore® assessment guides each next step. Communication starts with connection — and PECS makes that first connection possible.Trusted sources
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) guidance on augmentative and alternative communication; WHO ICD-11 framing of communication and developmental needs; American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) on supporting early communication.Next step — Wondering if PECS could give your child a voice? Book a developmental assessment with a Pinnacle clinician.
What to watch
Watch for a child who understands more than they can say, has few or no spoken words, finds it hard to start communicating, or shows frustration when needs aren't understood.
Try this at home
Keep a few pictures of favourite snacks or toys within reach and gently wait for your child to hand one to you before giving it — that exchange is communication beginning.
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
Will PECS stop my child from learning to talk?
No. PECS is designed to support communication, and research and clinical experience show that many children's spoken language grows alongside picture use, not instead of it. It gives a child a reliable voice while speech develops.
What is the very first goal in PECS?
The first goal is spontaneous initiation — the child learns to hand over a single picture to request something they want, on their own, without being prompted. This builds the powerful sense that they can start a conversation.
Is PECS only about asking for things?
It starts with requesting because that is highly motivating, but later phases build toward discriminating between pictures, making sentences, answering questions and commenting on the world — so a child shares ideas, not only needs.
How do I know if PECS suits my child?
A speech and language therapist assesses your child's understanding, communication and motivation to decide whether PECS, another approach, or a blend fits best. A developmental assessment at a Pinnacle centre guides this.