Using the Picture Exchange Communication System with families of children with autism
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Using the Picture Exchange Communication System with families of children with autism

Louise Cooper Specialist learning disability nurse, Children’s community nursing service, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, England

Children with autism experience difficulties with communication and interaction, and these impairments are most problematic for children who are non-verbal.

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is an intervention strategy that aims to improve communication for people with autism.

Using PECS in the family environment can be challenging in the initial stages. The specific needs of individual families should be considered and a whole family approach adopted. With appropriate support and a consistent approach, using PECS can help to improve communication and reduce challenging behaviours that might be exacerbated by the frustration of miscommunication.

Learning Disability Practice. 20, 4, 22-25. doi: 10.7748/ldp.2017.e1842

Correspondence

pilotlouise@gmail.com

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double blind peer review and has been checked for plagiarism using automated software

Conflict of interest

None declared

Received: 06 February 2017

Accepted: 23 March 2017

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