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What Progress Can I Expect From PECS?
PECS helps a non-verbal or minimally verbal child learn that communication gets results, progressing through clear phases — from a single picture exchange to seeking you out, choosing between pictures, building sentences and commenting. Many children develop spoken words alongside picture use, as PECS does not hinder speech. Pace varies with practice and consistency. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
In this answer 5 sections
PECS turns a simple picture handed to you into your child's first clear, powerful words: "I want that."
In short
The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) helps a child who is not yet talking — or who has very few words — learn that communication gets results. Progress is usually steady and staged: most children begin by exchanging a single picture for something they want, then learn to seek you out, build short picture sentences, and many go on to use words alongside or instead of pictures. There is no fixed timeline — progress depends on your child's starting point, practice and consistency — but for many children PECS is a confidence-building bridge to richer communication, not a dead end.
What progress typically looks like
PECS is taught in clear phases, and "progress" means moving through them at your child's own pace:
- First exchanges — your child learns to pick up a picture of a desired item and place it in your hand to ask for it. This first "aha" — my action changes what happens — is often the biggest leap.
- Travelling to communicate — your child learns to move towards their picture book and towards you, even across a room, to make a request. This builds genuine, intentional communication.
- Choosing between pictures — distinguishing one picture from another to ask for the specific thing they want.
- Building sentences — combining an "I want" card with a picture to form a short structured message.
- Commenting and answering — moving beyond requests to responding to questions and commenting on the world ("I see…").
A reassuring point many parents worry about: research and clinical experience show PECS does not stop a child from talking. For many children, spoken words emerge as picture use grows, because the pressure to speak is removed and successful communication is rewarded.
What shapes the pace
Progress varies, and that is completely normal. It depends on how often PECS is practised across the day (not just in therapy), how consistently everyone at home and school uses the same approach, your child's motivation, and their individual profile. Steady daily practice with highly motivating items usually brings the fastest, most joyful gains.
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 on their communication journey through a clinician-administered structured assessment, then build a PECS or wider communication plan delivered through speech therapy and coaching so you can practise the same steps confidently at home. Learn how we support communication and language development across our network.
Trusted sources
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) guidance on augmentative and alternative communication; American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) guidance on supporting communication in young children.
Next step — Want to know which communication stage your child is at, and the right next step? Book a communication assessment with a Pinnacle clinician.
This is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.
CONNECT THE ANSWER TO YOUR CHILD’S DAY
Something to notice. Something to discuss.
What to notice
Watch for your child's first independent picture exchange, then their willingness to travel towards you to communicate, to choose between pictures, and eventually to build short picture sentences — and notice any spoken words emerging alongside picture use.
In everyday life
Keep your child's picture book always within reach and use highly motivating items — favourite snacks or toys — so every exchange brings an immediate, rewarding result and builds their drive to communicate.
Bring your observations and questions to your child’s professional. Choose activities that suit your child’s comfort, abilities and agreed plan.
Bring your questions to a first visitQuestions families ask
Will PECS stop my child from learning to talk?
No. Research and clinical experience show PECS does not hinder speech — for many children spoken words actually emerge as picture use grows, because successful communication is rewarded and the pressure to speak is removed.
How long before I see progress with PECS?
There is no fixed timeline. Many children make the first big leap — understanding that handing over a picture gets a result — within the early weeks of consistent practice, but the overall pace depends on your child's starting point, motivation and how often PECS is used across the day.
Is PECS only for children with autism?
No. While PECS is widely used with autistic children, it can help any child who is not yet talking or has very limited speech to build intentional, functional communication. A clinician can advise whether it suits your child.
FOLLOW THE SOURCE
References behind this answer.
- Organisation website · further readingASHA — augmentative and alternative communication guidance
- Organisation website · further readingAAP HealthyChildren.org — supporting early communication
References are supplied with this answer. An organisation homepage offers further reading; it does not establish an independent review of this page.
Content attribution: SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network.
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General information supports a conversation with an appropriately qualified professional. Advice, goals and support depend on the individual child.