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Teach children how to communicate - before they begin using speech

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Most young children with autism have significant delays in acquiring communication skills, a hallmark characteristic of autism. But with intensive early intervention and Applied Behaviour Analysis techniques, children can be taught how to communicate successfully, even before they acquire the ability to use speech.

A Picture’s Worth examines the value of non-verbal communication strategies for children with autism, and presents the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) in detail. PECS is a communication system that allows a child to use a picture (or series of pictures) to express his needs and desires without a prompt or cue from another person. Authors Bondy and Frost co-developed PECS during many years of experience working with children with autism, and now share their expertise in this easy-to-understand guide for parents.

After a thorough review of verbal communication development, A Picture’s Worth explains how autism affects the acquisition and progression of those skills. Without the ability to express themselves, children with autism experience a high level of frustration, which is the root cause of many undesirable behaviours. The book explores the relationship between behaviour and communication, teaching parents how to recognise patterns in their own child’s behaviour and when to begin a visual communication program such as PECS.

The authors recommend that parents teach PECS in a succession of six phases. Each phase builds on the previous one, until a child is capable of constructing sentences with pictures to make requests and comments about his surroundings.

The book provides many real-life case studies, along with a complete series of lessons, from beginner to more advanced PECS techniques.

There is no minimum age or cognitive level required for a child to begin learning PECS. While PECS is frequently used with children who are non-verbal, it has been used effectively with kids who speak, but do not initiate communication. And contrary to many parents’ concerns, PECS does not inhibit a child’s ability to acquire and use speech. A Picture’s Worth promises the opportunity for most children with autism to acquire meaningful and effective communication skills.

2002, 150 pages
ISBN: 978-0-933149-96-0

“For autistic children, the greatest challenge is communicating with parents, peers, and teachers. Bondy (Ph.D.) and Frost (M.S., CCC/SLP) have done a great service by developing the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), a nonverbal communication strategy that uses an interchange of pictures, symbols, and words, typically on cards. Previously described in spiral-bound editions published by the authors’ consulting company from 1994 and 2001, PECS is already being used in schools and by parents of autistic children. Bondy and Frost do an excellent job of providing examples for implementing PECS, using a wide range of autistic children, and instructions on how to create one’s own set of cards or objects for this program. They also offer parents a way to expand the program with their child as their communication goals are met. While the book is geared toward parents (four chapters are devoted to the basic issues of communication), it would also be very useful for educators, especially those new to working with children with autistic children. Strongly recommended for public libraries and academic libraries with education or behavioural programs.” – Library Journal, April 1, 2002

Related Products

• Autism 24/7: A Family Guide to Learning at Home and in the Community

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Prices

	Code	Media	Platform	$NZ Price	$NZ GST
	A Picture's Worth: PECS and Other Visual Communication Strategies in Autism
	MJR4WB126	Book		$60.00	$9.00