Monitoring Individual Student Progress
Non-verbal children living with autism learning to communicate via electronic devices
The methods described throughout this module can be used to monitor a students progress in all of the phases. These will be discussed later. Accessing existing progress monitoring forms and checklists shall require purchasing the Picture Exchange Communication System Training Manual from www.pecsusa.com. PECS training begins once the key players , have identified and developed the reinforcers and initial materials. The six instructional phases are outlined next. Each phase of the training process needs monitoring individual student progress. It is essential to do so as it helps teachers and other professionals to make informed decisions . The developers of PECS have recommended multiple, day-long communication training opportunities, with training continuing within each phase till the child reaches 80% or greater proficiency that he/she exhibits for a minimum of three days. Then its time to move on to the next phase. It Can Encourage SpeechMany parents are afraid of any type of augmentative communication will inhibit individuals from developing speech. We have no research that has found this to be true. We do have research that shows that PECS can increase speech over time. Some individuals naturally drop using PECS when they become more proficient because using their speech is much more efficient. PECS builds in reinforcement protocols and strategies for encouraging and reinforcing speech specifically. As such, learning to communicate makes it more likely that individuals will use speech and if they dont use speech proficiently, it gives them a functional way to communicate. Who Can Use Pecs Cards And WhereAny professional, parent, or caregiver may use PECS procedures. However, professional training is recommended beforehand and it is available from the developers and marketeers of the PECS system. For professionals who want to get certified, the training is provided through Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc. and more information is available from www.pecsusa.com. The information in this module is intended to provide a detailed overview of a successful implementation of PECS and supplemental training for parents and paraprofessionals who would like to operate within varied educational and community-based settings. Implementation of PECS can occur anywhere communication is desired or needed. It is valid across a variety of settings, including home, school and community. Read Also: Is Down Syndrome The Same As Autism What Is The Picture Exchange Communication System Used ForThe Picture Exchange Communication System gives people without spoken language or with limited spoken language skills an alternative way to communicate. PECS can also increase peoples communication skills. For example, autistic people can learn to use the cards to ask for things, make comments and answer questions. A Background Of Autism PecsPECS was initially developed at the Delaware Autistic Program in 1994. As an alternative communication system, it has been demonstrated and widely adopted since. Research literatures have accounts of PECS to promote speech development and productivity. Now it is an updated version of the original procedures thats used. This post will define PECS communication pictures and outline the steps for an effective implementation. It will also provide specific examples of usage across various settings and age groups. Note: The strategies require trained, professional supervision while implementing PECS across a wide range of age groups. It can start during preschool and can be used lifelong for ASD-affected individuals to communicate efficiently. Also Check: Pros And Cons Of Adhd Medication How Does Asd Affect CommunicationThe word autism has its origin in the Greek word autos, which means self. Children with ASD are often self-absorbed and seem to exist in a private world in which they have limited ability to successfully communicate and interact with others. Children with ASD may have difficulty developing language skills and understanding what others say to them. They also often have difficulty communicating nonverbally, such as through hand gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions. The ability of children with ASD to communicate and use language depends on their intellectual and social development. Some children with ASD may not be able to communicate using speech or language, and some may have very limited speaking skills. Others may have rich vocabularies and be able to talk about specific subjects in great detail. Many have problems with the meaning and rhythm of words and sentences. They also may be unable to understand body language and the meanings of different vocal tones. Taken together, these difficulties affect the ability of children with ASD to interact with others, especially people their own age. Below are some patterns of language use and behaviors that are often found in children with ASD. The Importance Of Visual Aids For AutismVisual aids expand a child with autisms ability to interact with his/her surroundings. They can give children a sense of autonomy and allow them to make choices and express needs. Visual aids also help children comprehend daily rhythms and have input in their activities. Perhaps most importantly, visual aids can open lines of communication between children with ASD and their caretakers. Families who previously struggled to understand their childs needs, endured meltdowns, and tried to reassure anxious children, can find some respite in opening lines of communication. Most importantly, children can learn how to express their desires, ideas, personalities, and wishes in a way they could not before. Read Also: Is There A Test For Autism What Are The Benefits Of Using PecsPersonally, I have used PECS with many children. I find it to be especially helpful to those who are not really interested in interacting with anyone. This program teaches kiddos to initiate an interaction by handing them a picture. By using PECS, you can often take a child with no interest in other people and get them to the point where they spontaneously initiate an interaction. This can be a huge first step for children with autism or other developmental delays who were previously uninterested in communicating. Often, once they see the power of this communication, they are more open to trying other forms of communication, including speech. Uses Of Visual Supports
Conversations About Autism: Early Communication
Visual supports can be used in a range of ways, for example:
Read Also: Undiagnosed Adhd In Women Reasons Why I Like The Picture Exchange Communication SystemI talked in my last post about important considerations in addressing expressive vocabulary for individuals with autism. Today I want to focus on one of my favorite methods of introducing communication for students who are either nonverbal or functionally nonverbal : The Picture Exchange Communication System . PECS is a system for instructing students to communicate using pictures or symbols in place of words. Students physically exchange a picture to request an item, to comment on or describe something, and eventually to have a conversation. PECS encourages and models speech along with the picture exchange, but the picture is designed to serve in place of the words. I cant tell you how to implement PECS extensively in a blog post, but I will give you some resources for learning more about it and talk about the particular reasons that I think its such a good fit for kids with ASD. Its A Teaching SystemContrary to common belief, PECS is not an abbreviation for picture symbols. Although we sometimes call the pictures we use in the system PECS and the book they are kept in a PECS book, PECS as a term is NOT synonymous with pictures, schedules, or symbols used for communication. I say this because its kind of a pet peeve of mine when people use it incorrectly, but more so because PECS is the SYSTEM that is used to teach communication. The system has specific phases that are based on the science of verbal behaviora part of applied behavior analysis devoted to all types of verbal behavior including text, speech, and communication in all forms. There are specific stages of instruction and methods for teaching the initial exchange to request, to teaching students to discriminate between pictures, to travel to communicate, and later to comment and expand the functions of communication, all while modeling and encouraging speech. Recommended Reading: Applied Behavioral Analysis Autism How Can Visual Supports Help Your Child With AutismVisual supports can help children with autism find effective ways to communicate using visuals rather than auditory information. Most children with ASD are visual learners. The University of New Mexicos Center for Development and Disability says Using visual information to communicate with your child is taking advantage of how children with ASD naturally prefer to communicate and can reduce their frustration. The Center also notes that processing language quickly can be difficult for children with ASD and is why many parents find themselves repeating the same information over and over, However, when you present information visually it can be there for as long as the child needs it. . Shop All Picture Communication Cards > >Many individuals who have expressive communication limitations also have difficulty understanding how communication works. Because of this, they may not be interested in trying to communicate with others. Even if these individuals can speak some words, they may not use verbal words in meaningful communication exchanges with others. A big challenge in teaching independent expressive communication to some students is finding a way to motivate them to participate and learn. You must introduce and teach picture communication in a fun and motivating way for the student to want to participate in the session and to learn structured expressive communication skills. To make the communicative messages more understandable it can be beneficial to use matching picture symbols that exactly represent the activity. Communicating with pictures and identifying symbolic representations may be difficult for some individuals. An experienced Speech Language Pathologist can lend needed guidance to those trying to implement picture communication. We offer instructional materials that may be beneficial to trained team members. Always keep in mind the students abilities and goals before using these or any related learning materials. Advantages of Picture Communication More Helpful Articles: You May Like: Why Does My Autistic Child Lick Things Here Is The Hierarchy For The Visual Supports Themselves:
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