The Effectiveness of the Picture Exchange Communication System with Nonspeaking Adults

• Published in: Remedial and special education Vol. 27; no. 3; pp. 154 - 165
• Main Authors: Stoner, Julia B., Beck, Ann R., Bock, Stacey Jones, Hickey, Katherine, Kosuwan, Kullaya, Thompson, James R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA Sage Publications 01.05.2006; PRO-ED, Inc; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Adult Programs; Adults; Augmentative and Alternative Communication; Behavior Problems; Communication Research; Communication Skills; Communication Strategies; Communication technology; Communications systems; Daily Living Skills; Educational Practices; Effectiveness studies; Intellectual disabilities; Interpersonal Communication; Language disorders; Mental Retardation; Nonspeaking young people; Nonverbal Communication; Nonverbal Learning; Pictorial Stimuli; Pictures; Preschool Children; Program Effectiveness; Skill Development; Teaching Methods
• ISSN: 0741-9325; 1538-4756
• DOI: 10.1177/07419325060270030401

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) training was implemented with 5 nonspeaking adults with mental retardation who were not currently using any type of functional communication system. A modified ABAB, single-subject design was used to assess the effectiveness of PECS in enhancing the functional communication skills of these individuals. Three individuals progressed through 4 PECS training phases relatively quickly and developed functional skills that they were able to display in home and community settings. Two other individuals demonstrated limited progress, and the PECS training did not meaningfully alter their level of communicative competence. Implications for teaching functional communication skills to nonspeaking adults are discussed, and recommendations for future research are provided.