Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Communication and Language

At Hayfield, some of our EYFS pupils arrive with limited verbal communication. The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is introduced to our pupils, if needed, when they start in EYFS. PECS consists of six phases and begins by teaching an individual to give a single picture of a desired item or action to a “communicative partner” who immediately honours the exchange as a request. The system goes on to teach discrimination of pictures and how to put them together in sentences. In the more advanced phases, individuals are taught to use modifiers, answer questions and comment. 

Visual Supports are also used to support our pupils in the forms of communication boards which are used in areas of provision.  These communication boards support children’s language during play by scaffolding and supporting vocabulary. 

Stages of PECS 

How does Hayfield identfiy if a pupil is a PECS user?