# What progress can a child with GDD make with PECS?

Canonical: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-progress-can-a-child-with-global-developmental-delay-make-with-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs
Publisher: Pinnacle Blooms Network / Bharath Healthcare Laboratories Private Limited

With PECS, many children with Global Developmental Delay progress from handing over a single picture to request a wanted item, through choosing between pictures, to building short sentences and commenting — often with fewer meltdowns and growth in spoken words too. Progress is gradual and depends on consistent daily use across home and therapy. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

*When words feel out of reach, a single picture handed to you can become your child's first true 'I want to talk to you' — and that changes everything.*

## In short
With the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), many children with Global Developmental Delay (GDD) make real, steady progress — beginning with handing over one picture to ask for something they love, and growing into building short sentences, commenting on their world, and often using more spoken words along the way. Because PECS gives a child a *reliable way to be understood*, it usually reduces frustration and challenging behaviour too. Progress is gradual and child-led, but for many families that first independent picture exchange is a turning point.

## What progress can look like
PECS is taught in structured phases, and a child with GDD can move through them at their own pace:
- **Phase 1 — the first request:** your child learns to pick up a picture of a wanted item and place it in your hand. This is the breakthrough moment — communication becomes *intentional* and *initiated by your child*.
- **Phase 2 — persistence and distance:** they learn to travel to their picture board and to you, building independence and motivation to communicate.
- **Phase 3 — choosing:** discriminating between pictures to choose what they actually want.
- **Phases 4–6 — building language:** combining pictures into simple sentences ("I want… biscuit"), then describing, asking and **commenting** ("I see… dog") — the foundations of real conversation.

Alongside this, families often notice **fewer meltdowns** (because needs are finally being met), more eye contact and shared attention, and for many children **growth in spoken words** — PECS does not hold speech back; the evidence shows it often encourages it.

## What shapes the pace
Every child with GDD is different. Progress depends on consistent daily use across home, therapy and school, motivating items your child genuinely wants, and a coordinated team. PECS works best woven into **speech and language therapy** and used by everyone around your child — not just in the therapy room.

## The Pinnacle way
AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from an app or online form. Our therapists assess where your child sits today, choose the right communication approach, and coach your family to use it everywhere. Explore our [speech and language therapy](/speech-therapy) support, understand how we build your child's [developmental profile](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated), and learn more about [Pinnacle Blooms Network](/).

## Trusted sources
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) guidance on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC); American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) on supporting communication in developmental delay; WHO guidance on nurturing care and early childhood development.

**Next step —** Want to know if PECS is right for your child? [Book an assessment with a Pinnacle speech-language therapist](/speech-therapy).

This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

## Sources
- ASHA — Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC): https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/aac/
- AAP HealthyChildren.org — supporting early communication: https://www.healthychildren.org/
- WHO Nurturing Care Framework: https://nurturing-care.org/

## Connected topics and perspectives
- Therapies: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/therapies
- Parent: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/stakeholder/parent
- Communication: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/domain/communication
- Support: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/intent/support
- Plan: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/lifecycle/plan
- Speech Therapy: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/route/speech-therapy
- Self Sufficiency: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/lens/empowerment/self_sufficiency

## Related question paths

### Understand the subject
- At What Age Can a Child Start PECS?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/at-what-age-can-a-child-start-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs
- How Does PECS Help a Child Develop?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-help-a-child-develop
- Is PECS Backed by Research Evidence?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-backed-by-research-evidence
- What is the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs
- Which children benefit most from PECS?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/which-children-benefit-most-from-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs

### Explore therapy & support
- How PECS Helps a Child with Global Developmental Delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-help-a-child-with-global-developmental-delay
- Is PECS Right for a Child with Global Developmental Delay?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/is-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-the-right-therapy-for-a-child-with-global-developmental-delay
- Are there any risks or side effects of PECS?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/are-there-any-risks-or-side-effects-of-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs
- Can PECS Be Combined With Other Therapies?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-be-combined-with-other-therapies
- Can the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) be done online?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/can-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-be-done-online
- How PECS Helps a Child with Autism Spectrum: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-help-a-child-with-autism-spectrum
- How PECS helps a child with Childhood Apraxia of Speech: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-help-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech
- How PECS Helps a Non-Verbal or Minimally Verbal Child: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-help-a-child-with-non-verbal-minimally-verbal-presentation
- How PECS Helps a Child with Speech and Language Delay: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-help-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay
- How does PECS help preschoolers?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-help-preschoolers
- How does PECS help toddlers?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-does-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-help-toddlers
- How Many PECS Sessions Does a Child Usually Need?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-many-sessions-of-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-does-a-child-usually-need

### At home & in everyday life
- How can I support PECS goals at home?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-can-i-support-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-goals-at-home

### Follow progress
- What progress can a child make with PECS?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-progress-can-a-child-with-speech-and-language-delay-make-with-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs
- What Progress Can I Expect From PECS?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-progress-can-i-expect-from-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs
- What progress can a child with Autism make with PECS?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-progress-can-a-child-with-autism-spectrum-make-with-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs
- Progress with PECS for Non-Verbal & Minimally Verbal Children: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-progress-can-a-child-with-non-verbal-minimally-verbal-presentation-make-with-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs
- How a Child's Progress Is Measured in PECS: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-is-a-child-s-progress-measured-in-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs
- How Long Does PECS Take to Show Results?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-long-does-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-take-to-show-results
- What progress can a child with CAS make with PECS?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-progress-can-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-make-with-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs

### Choose and access care
- How do I find a good provider of PECS for my child?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/how-do-i-find-a-good-provider-of-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-for-my-child
- What PECS typically costs and what affects the price: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-does-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-typically-cost-and-what-affects-the-price
- What qualifications should a PECS therapist have?: https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-qualifications-should-a-therapist-providing-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-have