Skip to main content
Log in

Brief Report: Increasing Communication Skills for an Elementary-Aged Student with Autism Using the Picture Exchange Communication System

  • Published:
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) on the spontaneous communication skills of a 6-year-old girl with autism across her home and school environments. The effects of the PECS were also examined for social interaction. Results indicated increases in spontaneous language (i.e., requests and comments) including use of the icons and verbalizations across those settings in which PECS was implemented. Intelligible verbalizations increased in two of three settings, and changes in peer social interaction were noted in one of the two school settings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

REFERENCES

  • Baer, D. M., Wolf, M. M., & Risley, T. R. (1968). Some dimensions of applied behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1, 91–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bondy, A., & Frost, L. (1994). The Picture Exchange Communication System. Focus on Autistic Behavior, 9, 1–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bondy, A., Hoffman, A., & Glassberg, W. (January, 1999). The Picture Exchange Communication System Training, Kansas City, MO.

  • Carta, J., Sainato, D., & Greenwood, C. (1988). Advances in the ecological assessment of classroom instruction for young children with handicaps. In S. L. Odom & M. B. Karnes (Eds.), Early intervention for infants and children with handicaps: An empirical base (pp. 217–239). Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Charlop, M., Schriebman, L., & Thibodeau, M. (1985). Increasing spontaneous verbal responding in autistic children using time delay procedure. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 18, 155–166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dyer, K. (1989). The effects of preference on spontaneous verbal requests in individuals with autism. Journal of the Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps, 14(3), 184–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frost, L., & Bondy, A. (1994). The Picture Communication Exchange System: Training manual. Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc., Newark, Delaware.

    Google Scholar 

  • Halle, J. W. (1982). Teaching functional language to the handicapped: An integrative model of natural environment teaching techniques. Journal of the Association for the Severely Handicapped, 7, 29–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kamps, D., Potucek, J., Gonzalez-Lopez, A., Kravits, T., & Kemmerer, K. (1997). The use of peer networks across multiple settings to improve interaction for students with autism. Journal of Behavioral Education, 7, 335–357.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koegel, R. L., O'Dell, M. C., & Koegel, L. K. (1987). A natural language teaching paradigm for nonverbal autistic children. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 17, 187–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mayer-Johnson, R. (1990). The Picture Communication Symbols, Vols. I, II, and III. Solana Beach, CA: Mayer-Johnson Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mirenda, P., & Dattilo, J. (1987). Instructional techniques in alternative communication for students with severe intellectual handicaps. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 3, 143–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reichle, J., & Sigafoos, J. (1991). Establishing an initial repertoire of requesting. In J. Reichle, J. York, & J. Sigafoos (Eds.), Implementing augmentative and alternative communication strategies for learners with severe disabilities (pp. 89–114). Baltimore: Brookes.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, I., Garfinkle, A., & Bauer, J. (1998). The Picture Exchange Communication System: Communicative outcomes for young children with disabilities. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 18, 144–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shafer, E. (1993). Teaching topography-based and stimulus selection-based verbal behavior to developmentally disabled individuals: Some considerations. The Analysis of Verbal Behavior, 11, 117–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tapp, J., Wehby, J. H., & Ellis, D. N. (1992). A multiple option observation system for experimental studies (M.O.O.S.E.S). Nashville, TN: Vanderbilt University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zangari, C., Lloyd, L. L., & Vicker, B. (1994). Augmentative and alternative communication: An historic perspective. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 10, 27–59.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Debra M. Kamps.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kravits, T.R., Kamps, D.M., Kemmerer, K. et al. Brief Report: Increasing Communication Skills for an Elementary-Aged Student with Autism Using the Picture Exchange Communication System. J Autism Dev Disord 32, 225–230 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015457931788

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015457931788

Navigation