Predicting progress in Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) use by children with autism.
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.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the utility of using children's developmental age to predict the subsequent degree of progress using PECS.


METHODS
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.


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
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.
Autism Research Centre, Cambridge, UK Manor Special School, London, UK. gp310@medschl.cam.ac.uk
Greg
G
Pasco
Christina
C
Tohill
D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D003145:Communication Methods, Total; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D009633:Nonverbal Communication; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013561:Symbolism