|
Picture Exchange
Communication System (PECS)
The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is one method of communication for individuals who are nonverbal. PECS teaches the basics of communication, which are initiation and response to with another person. PECS uses a hierarchical approach to teaching functional communication.
PECS Phase I: How to communicate-This phase teaches the individual to exchange an icon or picture in exchange for a highly preferred item. The importance of initiating communication is emphasized.
PECS Phase II: Distance and Persistence-This phase teaches the individual to travel to the communication partner and communication board in order to request a preferred item. This phase emphasizes the importance of continuing to attempt to communicate until the attempt is successful.
PECS Phase III: Picture Discrimination-This phase teaches the individual to discriminate or distinguish between icons. It emphasizes that each icon represents a specific item or action.
PECS Phase IV: Sentence Structure-This phase teaches the individual to use two or more icons to formulate a simple sentence. During this phase, the individual is taught to place icons onto a sentence strip and exchange the sentence strip with a communication partner.
Please see the Pyramid Educational Consultants website for more information
|
Eye Gaze
An eye gaze system is a great alternative for children or adults who want and/or need to communicate, but whose speech and physical limitations make it difficult. Eye gaze boards allow individuals to locate an item or activity on their board by focusing their gaze on that item or icon. The communication partner then identifies the preferred item by paying attention to where the individual focused their gaze. Eye gaze boards can be low-tech or high-tech. Low-tech eye gaze boards can be fairly easy to make. They can be made with clear plastic materials or PVC pipe. It is important to use clear materials that allow for a clear view of the communication partners eye gaze.
|
Low Tech
Low tech communication devices allow for a single message up to 32 messages to be recorded. The messages are recorded for the individual. These devices allow for the individual to initiate social interaction with their communication partner from a distance. These devices can be accessed through direct selection by pressing on the specific button or through scanning. The most common low tech communication devices utilized at Schramm Educational Center are Big Macks, Step-by-Step Communicators, and Go Talk Communication devices
|
High Tech
High-tech communication devices can be any communication system that uses electronic messages, increased vocabulary through multiple pages, and communication via voice-output. Devices with voice output offer users the ability to initiate conversations from a distance. These systems may be devices that are used for AAC or can be operated through computer software that allow for AAC use, such as the iPad. High-tech devices vary in the amount of information that they can store, as well as their size, weight and portability. Access methods depend on the abilities of the user (i.e., selection of symbols with a body part, pointer, joystick or indirect selection using switches and scanning). High tech devices include, Dynavox Maestro, DynoVox Vmax, xPress, Proloquo2Go, Vintage Lite, Vanguard, and DeltaTalker
|
