PECS: Enhancing Communication in Autistic Children

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In 2010, Flippin, Reszka and Watson determined the effectiveness of the picture exchange communication system on the communication and speech for children with autism and spectrum disorders. The Picture Exchange Communication System or PECS refers to the pictorial communication-training program that is designed for young children with autism or social-communicative deficits. It is a manualized program for teaching children to use an exchange-based communication system. For example, PECS helps a child with autism to enhance communication by using a picture of his or her desired item. The picture of his or her desired item will then be given to the communicative partner in exchange for that physical item. In this approach, the children are taught …show more content…

The speech output technologies include the speech-generating devices (SGD), talking word processors and mobile technologies with AAC-specific applications. In this study, the authors compiled research evidence regarding the effectiveness of AAC intervention, specifically the speech output technologies, for individuals with autism. The authors studied 26 literature studies to determine the effect of SGDs as part of the treatment package for children with autism. The results of these literature studies showed that eight of these studies have conclusive results, six produced preponderant results, seven were classified as suggestive and the remaining was appraised as inconclusive. It means that not all of the studies arrived at the same conclusion, which means that SGDs still have limitations in obtaining its purpose. However, it was observed that the application of SGDs for the promotion of natural speech production seems is increasing and growing, based on the 2008 systematic review on the effects of AAC intervention conducted by Schlosser and Wendt. The conclusion stated by the author in this study is that the application of SGDs as an intervention for children with autism was considered successful in helping these children to improve the critical function of communication to them. It was also shown that there are some studies showing that the use of SGDs is a challenging approach. On the other hand, the authors recommend intensifying the study of SGD to target other communicative functions and

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