{"h1":"What techniques are used in PECS?","faq":[{"a":"PECS is taught in six structured phases — beginning with a simple picture exchange for a desired item, then building distance and persistence, picture discrimination, sentence building, answering questions, and finally spontaneous commenting.","q":"How many phases does PECS have?"},{"a":"No. PECS is designed to support communication, and many children begin to use speech sounds and words alongside the picture cards as their confidence and communication grow. A speech therapist monitors and encourages spoken language throughout.","q":"Does PECS stop a child from learning to speak?"},{"a":"PECS can help children with limited, emerging or no spoken language who need an alternative way to communicate. A speech and language therapist assesses whether PECS, another system, or a blend best suits your child.","q":"Who is PECS suitable for?"}],"lang":"en","slug":"what-techniques-are-used-in-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs","title":"What techniques are used in the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)?","entity":{"key":"pecs","kind":"therapy_modality","name":"The Picture Exchange Communication System (Pecs)","slug":null},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Parent","value":"parent"},{"kind":"domain","label":"Communication","value":"communication"},{"kind":"intent","label":"Support","value":"support"},{"kind":"lifecycle","label":"Plan","value":"plan"},{"kind":"route","label":"Speech-Therapy","value":"speech-therapy"},{"kind":"empowerment","label":"Family Empowerment","value":"family_empowerment"}],"parent":{"key":"therapies","label":"Therapies"},"related":[{"lang":"en","slug":"how-can-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-help-a-child-with-non-verbal-minimally-verbal-presentation","title":"How PECS Helps a Non-Verbal or Minimally Verbal Child"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-goals-does-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-work-on","title":"What goals does PECS work on?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-happens-during-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-sessions","title":"What happens during PECS sessions?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs","title":"What is the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-help-preschoolers","title":"How does PECS help preschoolers?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-help-a-child-develop","title":"How Does PECS Help a Child Develop?"}],"summary":"PECS teaches communication by having a child hand a picture card to another person to make a request, taught across six structured phases. Core techniques include using a motivating reward, two-person prompting with backward chaining, fading of prompts to build spontaneity, picture discrimination, and gradually building sentences and comments. AbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","answer_md":"*When words feel out of reach, a single picture handed to someone you love can open the very first door to communication.*\n\n## In short\nThe **Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)** teaches a child to communicate by physically handing a picture card to another person to make a request or comment. It is taught in **six structured phases**, using clear, evidence-based techniques — a motivating reward, two-person prompting, the gradual building of sentences, and a careful fading of help so your child becomes a confident, spontaneous communicator. PECS is used to support children with limited or emerging speech, and often grows *alongside* spoken language rather than replacing it.\n\n## The techniques used in PECS\nPECS follows a deliberate, step-by-step method. Each technique builds on the one before:\n\n- **Finding what motivates** — therapists first discover what your child genuinely wants (a favourite snack, toy or activity). That natural motivation drives the very first exchange.\n- **The physical exchange (Phase 1)** — your child learns the *core* act: picking up a picture and placing it in a communication partner's hand to get what they want. Communication is an active, two-way exchange from day one.\n- **Two-person prompting & backward chaining** — a second helper gently guides the child's hand to give the card, while the main partner stays inviting. Help is faded from the *end* of the action backwards, so the child increasingly does it alone — **with no spoken prompts**, to avoid prompt-dependence.\n- **Building distance and persistence (Phase 2)** — the child learns to travel to their picture book and to a partner, so communication works across the room and across people, not just face-to-face.\n- **Discriminating between pictures (Phase 3)** — the child learns to *choose* the correct picture from several, so each symbol carries real meaning.\n- **Building sentences (Phase 4)** — using a sentence strip, the child combines an \"I want\" symbol with a picture — the first step towards grammar and longer messages.\n- **Answering and commenting (Phases 5 & 6)** — the child learns to respond to \"What do you want?\" and then to comment spontaneously (\"I see…\", \"I hear…\"), widening communication beyond requesting.\n\nThroughout, therapists use **structured reinforcement**, consistent routines, and gradual fading of support — and many children begin to use speech sounds alongside the cards as confidence grows.\n\n## When to seek a check\nPECS is one tool among many. A speech and language therapist will assess whether PECS, another communication system, or a blend best suits your child. Seek a developmental check if your child has few or no words by around 18–24 months, has lost words or skills they once had, rarely points or gestures to share interest, or finds it hard to make their needs known.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nAbilityScore® is part of Pinnacle’s developmental assessment. Diagnosis, where needed, requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional — never from an app or online form. From there your child receives a precise communication profile through our [speech and language therapy](/speech-therapy), and a plan that may include PECS or other approaches matched to how your child learns best. You can explore [how the AbilityScore® is calculated](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated) or [learn more about our approach](/).\n\n## Trusted sources\nAmerican Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) guidance on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC); American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org) guidance on supporting early communication; WHO information on developmental communication support.\n\n**Next step —** Wondering if PECS could help your child find their voice? [Book a speech and communication assessment with a Pinnacle clinician](/speech-therapy).\n\nThis is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","canonical":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-techniques-are-used-in-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs","editorial":{"reviewed_at":"2026-06-11T20:12:18.613642+00:00","reviewed_by":null,"developed_by":"SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network"},"alternates":[{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-techniques-are-used-in-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs","lang":"en","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[{"key":"therapies","label":"Therapies"}],"meta_title":"PECS Techniques Explained for Parents","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"Find one thing your child loves and place its picture just out of reach — when they hand you the card, immediately give them the item with warm praise, so the exchange always feels rewarding and meaningful.","published_at":"2026-06-10T12:38:00.116011+00:00","reading_paths":[{"key":"understand","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs","title":"What is the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-help-a-child-develop","title":"How Does PECS Help a Child Develop?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"at-what-age-can-a-child-start-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs","title":"At What Age Can a Child Start PECS?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs-backed-by-research-evidence","title":"Is PECS Backed by Research Evidence?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"which-children-benefit-most-from-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs","title":"Which children benefit most from 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Results?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-progress-can-i-expect-from-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs","title":"What Progress Can I Expect From PECS?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-progress-can-a-child-with-autism-spectrum-make-with-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs","title":"What progress can a child with Autism make with PECS?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-progress-can-a-child-with-childhood-apraxia-of-speech-make-with-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs","title":"What progress can a child with CAS make with PECS?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-progress-can-a-child-with-global-developmental-delay-make-with-the-picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs","title":"What progress can a child with GDD make with PECS?","reason":"Same 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