What is the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)?

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a way for autistic people to communicate without relying on speech. To communicate, people use cards with pictures, symbols, words or photographs to ask for things, comment on things or answer questions.

PECS is an augmentative and alternative communication system.

Who is PECS for?

Any autistic person can use PECS. There’s no age limit, but most research has focused on children.

Some children might use PECS for a short time while their speech is developing. Others might use it for longer. And some people might use PECS for a short time and then move on to other augmentative and alternative communication systems like speech-generating devices.

Anyone who has difficulties with spoken language can use PECS. This includes people with developmental delay and traumatic brain injury, as well as autistic people.

What is PECS used for?

PECS gives people without spoken language or with limited spoken language an alternative way to communicate. PECS can also increase people’s communication skills. For example, autistic people can learn to use the cards to ask for things, make comments and answer questions.

Where does PECS come from?

PECS was developed in the United States in 1985 as part of the Delaware Autism Program. It’s based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).

What is the idea behind PECS?

PECS is based on the idea that a behaviour will happen more if it leads to things that a child wants or enjoys.

In the case of PECS, when a child wants something, they use a picture card to get the thing they want. This encourages the child to keep using the cards to communicate their needs and wants.

What does PECS involve?

Because it’s a method of communication, PECS is taught and used on a daily basis.

To start, the PECS trainer finds out about a child’s favourite foods or toys. The PECS trainer teaches the child that if they give a picture of one of these items to someone, they will get the item in return.

As the child learns to use PECS, they can start to use other cards to ask for things, to ask and answer questions, or to do more advanced tasks like making comments. The child moves from exchanging single cards to learning to build short sentences using several cards at a time.

It’s important for parents, teachers and others to know how to use PECS properly, because they’ll need to use it in their daily interactions with the child.

Does PECS help autistic children?

Research has shown positive effects from PECS, particularly from its early stages, which help children learn how to ask for things.

More high-quality studies are needed to investigate the effects of using PECS for more complex communication and to work out which children respond best to PECS.

Research shows that PECS doesn’t stop children from developing spoken language.

Who can help children with PECS?

Many occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers, speech pathologists and teachers have been trained in PECS. When you’re making an appointment with a new professional, you can ask whether the professional has experience with PECS.

Parents and teachers can learn how to use PECS at workshops. Some families learn how to use PECS in speech pathology sessions. Speech pathologists or teachers who have been trained in PECS might also run PECS workshops at schools.

Where can you find a PECS practitioner?

Pyramid Educational Consultants is the only organisation certified to train people in PECS. To find a certified PECS practitioner or to find out about training for yourself, contact Pyramid Educational Consultants.

You could also talk about PECS with your NDIA planner, early childhood partner or local area coordinator, if you have one.

How are parents involved in PECS?

If you’re interested in using PECS with your child, it’s recommended that you do a 2-day basic workshop before beginning PECS. Even if you’re taking your child to a speech pathologist or another therapist to learn PECS, you’re still encouraged to do the training so you can do PECS with your child at home.

After completing PECS training, you can often do PECS at home independently. You can get more training and support if you need it.

You can expand your PECS card library as your child’s needs and interests develop.

How much does PECS cost?

Initial costs for PECS can be high, especially if you do a specialised workshop. Ongoing costs depend on how much support you need from a professional to use PECS with your child. For example, you might need help with new vocabulary or with moving from single words to sentences.

PECS training workshops are available through Pyramid Educational Consultants and are delivered in person or online. In 2025, the 2-day PECS basic training workshop cost $730 for professionals and $440 for parents. The workshop fee includes a copy of the PECS Training Manual, which has information for parents and practitioners who are using the system.

You can buy resources for creating PECS cards from Pyramid Educational Consultants. There are also some free resources online.

You might be able to include the cost of using the PECS system in your child’s NDIS plan. You can contact the NDIS to find out.

Therapies and supports for autistic children range from behavioural therapies and developmental approaches to medicines and alternative therapies. When you understand the main types of therapies and supports for autistic children, it’ll be easier to work out the approach that will best suit your child.