| Though a variety of interventions, including the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems, have been developed and implemented to reduce communication deficits associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), few have addressed the potential for such systems to impact word utterances nor is there consensus regarding which systems are most functional and rapidly mastered. The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is an AAC system designed specifically to minimize difficulties with communication skills experienced by individuals with ASD. Limited, published data to supports its efficacy; however, PECS enjoys broad use. The current study examined the role of PECS in improving the number of words spoken, increasing the complexity and length of phrases, and decreasing the non-word vocalizations of young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and developmental delays (DD) with related characteristics.; One girl and two boys, between the ages of 3 and 7, who had little or no functional speech, participated in this study. Participants were taught Phases 1 through 4 of PECS (i.e., picture exchange, increased distance, picture discrimination, and sentence construction). The study employed a variation on a changing criterion single-subject research design. Descriptive statistics and visual inspection were used to analyze data. The results indicated that PECS was mastered rapidly by the participants and word utterances increased in number of words and complexity of grammar. |
