Lili Covaci is a Freelance Psychologist, and a PECS Consultant and Pyramid Approach to Education. She completed her ABA master’s degree at the Florida Institute of Technologies. She has over 20 years of experience working with adults and children with autism, rare genetic syndromes and various developmental disabilities in residential centers, day centers and families in the community.
Abstract of the conference presentation
When and Why it is important to use PECS
The Pictogram/ Image Exchange Communication System (PECS) is one of 28 methods scientifically validated to be effective in treating autism. It is a unique alternative/ augmentative communication system developed in 1985 (USA) by PhD Andy Bondy and Lori Frost, MS, CCC-SLP. The main purpose of PECS is to teach functional communication.
PECS is used successfully worldwide for children and adults with autism, developmental disabilities, language disorders and rare genetic syndromes. Research has shown that many children with autism who use PECS under the age of 6 develop language. All international research recognizes and validates the benefits of using PECS. There are many myths and misconceptions about what the PECS implementation and protocol really is. The PECS teaching protocol is based on the book by B.F. Skinner, “Verbal Behavior”, and on a broad spectrum of applied behavioral analysis.
I look forward to discovering together how crucial communication is in developing the skills of independent living, integration, emotional development and social interaction, regardless of the form of communication or the degree of impairment of the person. It is a legal, ethical and moral obligation to provide our students with speech difficulties with a functional mode/ system/ device of communication.