Background: The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a widely used communication intervention
for non-verbal children with autism spectrum disorder. Findings for the benefits of PECS have almost universally
been positive, although there is very limited information about the characteristics of PECS users that determine
the amount of progress that they are likely to make.
Aims: To explore the utility of using children’s developmental age to predict the subsequent degree of progress
using PECS.
Methods & Procedures: In a retrospective study, 23 non-verbal 5- and 6-year-old children with autism spectrum
disorder attending a special school were assessed to determine their highest level of PECS ability. They were then
allocated to one of two groups depending on whether or not they had mastered PECS phase III. All participants
had been assessed using the Psycho-Educational Profile—Revised (PEP-R) on entry to the school and before
being introduced to PECS. Total developmental age scores were examined to determine whether they accurately
predicted membership of the two PECS ability groups.
Outcomes & Results: All the 16 children who had mastered PECS phase III had total developmental age scores
of 16 months or above, whilst six of the seven children who had not progressed beyond phase III scored below
16 months—the other child had a score of 16 months.
Conclusions & Implications: The assessment of the developmental level of potential PECS users may provide
valuable predictive information for speech-and-language therapists and other professionals in relation to the likely
degree of progress and in setting realistic and achievable targets.