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Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

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Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

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Picture Exchange Communication System allows students with ASD to exchange pictures for goods, services, and activities in their immediate environment. Suitable for non-verbal or minimally verbal students.

Low-Tech

Implementation: Begin with teaching the student to exchange a picture for an item they want. Gradually, the system builds up to sentences and responds to questions.

Evaluation: Monitor the student's ability to initiate communication and respond to prompts. Progress is often marked by the increasing complexity of exchanges.

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Developed by Andy Bondy, PhD & Lori Frost, MS, CCC-SLP

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Sign language enhances communication for verbal and non-verbal students by providing a physical way to express needs and feelings. Ideal for students with coordination or motor planning challenges.

Low Tech

Implementation: Introduce signs for key vocabulary and model these signs consistently. Encourage the student to use signs to communicate.

Evaluation: Assess the student's growing vocabulary and ability to use signs to interact with others.

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Sign Language Curriculum for Teachers and Homeschoolers

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Social stories help students understand social norms and behaviors by describing a situation with relevant social cues. Good for teaching expected behaviors in different settings.

Low-Tech

Implementation: Create personalized stories that depict a situation the student finds challenging, reading them regularly.

Evaluation: Observe the student's behavior in the social scenarios covered by the stories to measure impact.

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To write a Social Story is to assume an invitation into the mind of a child, adolescent or adult with autism… Let’s be careful in there. Welcome to CarolGraySocialStories.com…I am glad you stopped by.

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Visual schedules depict the sequence of daily activities. They support students who benefit from a structured routine and struggle with transitions or unpredictability.

Low-Tech

Implementation: Use pictures or symbols to represent each part of the student's day, reviewing the schedule regularly with the student.

Evaluation: Look for reductions in transition-related stress and improvements in the ability to move between activities independently.

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January 9, 2018
Response by psychologists Kenneth Shamlian and Brenna Cavanaugh, of the University of Rochester Medical Center - one of 13 sites in the Our 6-year-old has autism and gets really impatient to the point of tantrums. No matter how many times we explain "waiting," he doesn't seem to understand that he can't always get what he wants right now. How do we help him understand? Editor's note: The following information is not meant to diagnose or treat and should not take the place of personal consultation, as appropriate, with a qualified healthcare professional and/or behavioral therapist. Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network (ATN). Dr. Shamlian directs the medical center's behavioral treatment program, where he and Dr. Cavanaugh both practice.
Thanks for your great question. Learning to wait is a crucial life skill that proves difficult for many children - and adults, for that matter. Teaching this skill to children with autism can be particularly challenging for many reasons.

Understanding the challenges

First, it's common for parents and other caregivers to try to explain, or verbally teach, the importance of being patient. Similarly, we tend to use words to comfort and assure a child who is feeling impatient. Although this works for many children, children who have autism often have trouble following verbal explanations. They hear only the "no." This can be true even when someone with autism has good language skills - particularly when they're upset.

Another common, autism-related challenge is the strong need for routine. Many people who have autism feel extremely anxious when things don't happen when and how they expect. For example, let's say your son typically gets to watch a favorite program before dinner. But one day you're running behind schedule and ask him to wait until after dinner. While this is reasonable, the change in routine can prove upsetting to someone who has autism.

Autism-friendly strategies using visual supports

Considering these challenges, we have several suggestions for improving your child's patience. Remember, improving patience takes time. So we have to be patient, too, while teaching this skill.

As just mentioned, people who have autism tend to do best with structure and predictability. So we encourage you to use the following strategies and tools to set clear and consistent limits and rules around the things you anticipate your child will want at times when you can't provide them. In other words, it can help to establish expectations before your son even asks.

Download the freeAutism Speaks Visual Supports Tool Kit.
We also mentioned that many people who have autism have difficulty following verbal explanations. Fortunately, they typically respond better to information that's presented visually.

Below are some examples of what we call "visual supports." Many of the children and families we see in our practice find them helpful.

Visual timers

We've found visual timers to be particularly helpful when someone with autism needs to wait a few minutes. Examples include sand timers, wind-up timers and countdown apps such as those shown below. All these devices visually convey the passage of time. Say, for example, that your son wants to use his electronic tablet, but it needs to charge first. If you know how long it will take to charge, you can set a visual timer, hand it to your son and show him how to track when the time is up.

Wait cards

A wait card can prove useful when you don't know exactly how long your child needs to wait. It can help your child understand that you're not saying "no." You're just asking him to wait. Take the example of the electronic tablet. But this time you don't know how long it will take to charge. Hand him a "wait" card and when the tablet is ready, exchange the tablet for the card. With practice, this routine can become reassuring. The card in his hand becomes a tangible signal that he will eventually get what he wants.

A related visual support is the "first/then" card shown below. It's useful when you need your son to complete something before the activity he wants.

Visual schedules and calendars

Visual schedules and calendars are helpful when your child needs to wait longer than just a few minutes for something he wants.

Visual daily schedules (shown above) use picture and/or simple words to outline the day's activities. Many parents find it helpful to the show their child the schedule in the morning and briefly go over the day's events. Then you can prompt your son to check the schedule when he asks about an upcoming activity.

For example, perhaps your son asks repeatedly for a snack that he gets twice a day - say, after school and before bed. When he asks for it at other times, you can show him the daily schedule and point to the picture of the snack in its place on the schedule. Or you can simply prompt him to check his schedule each time he asks.

Visual calendars such as the sample above can help your child understand when he has to wait more than a day for something. Let's say he loves to go to the toy store, and you can take him on weekends. Using a wall calendar or printed calendar template, tape a picture of the store on the day you plan to take your son and/or write the word if your son can read. You might try starting each day by looking at the calendar with your child, even asking him whether it's a "toy store day" or not. Or you may find it works better to prompt your son to check the calendar when he asks.

Choice-no choice boards

Sometimes you don't know when you'll be able to provide something your son requests. For example, you may not know when you can go to the toy store when he asks. Such uncertainty can be particularly difficult for children with autism. A "choice/no choice" gives you the flexibility to change activities, as needed, while still providing supportive structure for your child. As illustrated above, on the red side, you can stick pictures (or words) that convey activities or things that are NOT available right now. On the green side, place pictures or words representing acceptable choices. You canencourage your son to refer to the board often. Or you can redirect him to check it when he requests something. If he wants something on the "no choice" red side, you can help him choose an alternative on the green side.
Also see these related advice posts: Teenager with autism obsessed with visits to favorite places Autism & turn taking: How can I teach our son this crucial life skill? Help! Preschooler with autism won't stop throwing things when upset Got more questions for our experts?
Increasing expectations over time

When used consistently and incrementally, these strategies can help your child better understand the passage of time and develop more and more patience about getting what he wants - a crucial life skill. By incrementally, we mean gradually setting higher expectations - such as waiting a little longer or being a little more flexible - and reinforcing even small improvements with praise and perhaps a small reward. (You know what motivates your child.)

Thank you again for your question. We hope these tips help you and your family.

Send them to gotquestions@autismspeaks.org.

For more-immediate guidance, please contact the Autism Speaks Autism Response Team for help finding information and local resources.
Call (888) 288-4762│en Español (888) 772-9050│ or email help@autismspeaks.org

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Autism and Teaching Patience | Autism Speaks

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January 9, 2018 Response by psychologists Kenneth Shamlian and Brenna Cavanaugh, of the University of Rochester Medical Center - one of 13 sites in the Our 6-year-old has autism and gets really impatient to the point of tantrums. No matter how many times we explain "waiting," he doesn't seem to understand that he can't always get what he wants right now.

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SGDs empower students to articulate thoughts, needs, and desires when they cannot do so verbally. Appropriate for students who have clear ideas but struggle with speech production.

High-Tech

Implementation: Personalize the device with vocabulary and phrases relevant to the student, teaching them how to navigate and use it.

Evaluation: Track the frequency and appropriateness of initiated communication in various settings.

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This course was designed for those new to the field of AAC (augmentative and alternative communication). It provides information on AAC, who uses AAC, stakeholders and goals based on user values. Components of AAC systems are reviewed.

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A BigMack Communicator is a one-message communication device for making a single request or comment known to the student's routine, great for those learning cause and effect.

Low-Tech

Implementation: Record a relevant message or sound and teach the student to press the button to communicate a specific message.

Evaluation: Monitor the situations in which the student uses the BigMack to communicate and any increase in the frequency of communication.

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Our most popular single message dedicated speech generating device enables you to record one message up to 2-minutes long directly to the device. For message playback, activate the large 5-in/12.7-cm switch top or use an alternative switch for access.

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DynaVox offers diverse AAC devices with robust language systems for individuals with complex communication needs.

High-Tech

Implementation: Work with a speech-language pathologist to select and customize a device's language content for the student's needs.

Evaluation: Measure the breadth and depth of communication the student achieves using the device.

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Tobii Dynavox Global: Assistive technology for communication

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Communication apps, speech generating devices, eye trackers and eye gaze/eye-controlled devices for people with disabilities and special needs who require AAC.

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GoTalk devices are portable, simple to program, and have multiple message levels for flexible communication. Suitable for beginners to AAC.

High-Tech

Implementation: Record messages into the GoTalk for common requests, comments, and responses. Teach the student to select messages.

Evaluation: Observe increases in independent communication and the variety of situations in which the device is used effectively.

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A customizable AAC app that includes core words and curriculum communication pages

Product Features:

Instant access to a page set of core words commonly used in daily communication

Based on Project CORE research from UNC Center for Literacy and Disability Studies

Includes adjustable page layouts, customizable navigation, and text-to-speech capabilities

Provides flexibility to import sounds and images from the internet or your camera

Pages may be backed-up, restored or shared via Dropbox or iTunes

Offers four page styles for communication: standard, scene, express, keyboard

Stores an unlimited number of messages

If your district uses an MDM system to distribute apps, please check with your IT Department before purchasing iPad apps.

Maximum quantity of 50 licenses per purchase.

Resale of activation codes is prohibited.

Access codes are licensed for activation on a single device.

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widget type="Swissup\Easybanner\Block\Placeholder" placeholder="10" type_name="EasyBanner: Placeholder"}}Product Features:Instant access to a page set of core words commonly used in daily communicationBased on Project CORE research from UNC Center for Literacy and Disability StudiesIncludes adjustable page layouts, customizable navigation, and text-to-speech capabilitiesProvides flexibility to import sounds and images from the internet or your

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Proloquo2Go is an app-based AAC solution that turns iPads and iPhones into communication boards. It has customizable features for varied verbal abilities.

High-Tech

Implementation: Customize the grid layout with symbols that the student understands, progressively adding more as they learn.

Evaluation: Monitor the user’s ability to make requests, comment, and answer questions using the app.

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Tap images. Type words. Speak. Proloquo2Go is an easy to use communication app for people who cannot speak or need help being understood. Featuring natural sounding voices, including real children's voices, Proloquo2Go is a simple yet powerful AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) tool. The app is fully customizable and can be utilized to build language skills and grow with a person's communication, supporting both beginning and advanced communicators.

Parents, therapists, teachers and users around the world recognize Proloquo2Go as the gold standard in AAC solutions. The app is used by people with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, Angelman syndrome, and others with speech difficulties. The app is available in English, Spanish, French, and Dutch and supports bilingual use, so you can switch languages on the fly.

Proloquo2Go in action:

Learn and grow

Studies show that just 200-400 words make up 80% of what we say. Known as core words, they act as the basis of Proloquo2Go's research-based Crescendo™ vocabulary. Users can grow from single words to full sentences in the same app. Crescendo puts core words in consistent locations for easy access and motor-planning. The vocabulary works with AAC best practices like modeling (where you use an AAC system to talk with the user) to develop language skills. Crescendo offers no limit on language development with a 10,000+ fringe word vocabulary and customizable vocabulary levels. Finally, with Progressive Language, words are gradually revealed step-by-step, helping users learn words and their location as their communication expands.

Easy editing

Customizing Proloquo2Go is a breeze! Quickly and easily add new words. Use the app's built-in library of 25,000 symbols or use your own photos by taking pictures within the app or selecting them from your photo library. For users with fine-motor challenges and vision impairments, Proloquo2Go offers options like 23 pre-programmed grid sizes and accessibility settings which support switch scanning and Apple's VoiceOver screen reader. Everything from appearance to access is customizable so you can make it your own.

Type and speak

Besides tapping images, Proloquo2Go also lets you type what you want to say. The app includes a Grid Keyboard arranged alphabetically for people learning to type. For more experienced typists, Proloquo2Go includes a Typing View with a QWERTY keyboard and word prediction that offers suggestions based on what you are typing.

Hello! ¡Hola! Bonjour! Hallo!

Proloquo2Go lets you select a language and region for the Crescendo vocabulary. Two languages can be used at the same time, allowing seamless bilingual speech. Over 100 included downloadable natural-sounding adult and children's voices rounds out your choices to use the app your way.

A helping hand

AssistiveWare is here for you every step of the way. Help articles in Proloquo2Go are there whenever you need them. New to AAC? Our website has easy to understand articles in the Learn AAC section, and the AssistiveWare Core Word Classroom includes activities for teaching communication effectively. You can also connect directly with our community of parents, professionals, and users on our Facebook groups. If you have any questions, our support team is available 7 days a week and is always happy to help. All of these online resources can be accessed by going to the AssistiveWare website.

Note: Discounts are available through Apple's Educational Volume Purchase Program - 50% off on 20 licenses or more. Joan Bruno's Gateway to Language & Learning© vocabulary is available as an in-app purchase (English only).

Find an AAC voice that best reflects you! This update makes Proloquo2Go compatible with Apple's iOS 17 feature, Personal Voice.
Plus, you can now use voices from Apple on Proloquo2Go to match your preferences, personality, and region.

Educational Support Assignment Review

This product is amazing and is helpful in assisting my non-verbal daughters communication needs. I wish all families the best in achieving their goals with this amazing tool.

Hi Csorbz, thank you so much for your kind words! We are happy that your daughter is having great success with Proloquo2Go. Our team works hard on all of our products and we appreciate it when we hear from family members, users, and professionals that our efforts make a difference in people's' lives. If you ever need help, please feel free to contact us at support@assistiveware.com. Cheers! :-)

Complicated

It's been a year. The app doesn't perform for the severely autistic. Far too complicated. It needs to have a setting where there's three or four options per page. Difficult to tailor. I asked for a refund. Denied. So I'm out however many 100s of dollars this was (I try not to think about it).

If you have a typical child that needs some help, this may be perfect. If you have a non-verbal severely autistic child, save your money instead.

Hi seaninott, again, we are very sorry that Proloquo2Go did not meet your expectations. Our team is here to help you in any way we can, Many of our team members are parents of children that use Proloquo2Go and are committed to supporting other parents. Please know that it is possible to set up a new user in Proloquo2Go with a blank vocabulary with a grid of three or four buttons. However, it is recommended that a grid size be selected based on what an AAC user can see and touch and not based on cognitive skills, receptive language or what we think a person can do. So, it is actually good to provide access to a wide vocabulary and slowly teach a person the meaning of words and the location of words through modeling. This is considered an AAC best practice. For more information, you may want to check out this article on choosing an AAC grid size (www.assistiveware.com/learn-aac/choosing-a-grid-size). Our team would really love to reach out to you as we have many resources that may allow your child to use Proloquo2Go more effectively. You are welcome to join AssistiveWare's Family members AAC community Facebook Group (www.facebook.com/groups/241684205905600) where you can connect with other parents with similar situations. Many of the people in the community are parents of autistic children that use Proloquo2Go, so you may be able to gather suggestions to help your child. Our team is also available to chat with you through Messenger on our AssistiveWare Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AssistiveWare). Finally, as always, we are available to help with issues or to answer questions by emailing support@assistiveware.com. Whenever you want to reach us, we are here. Peace! :-)

Proloquo2Go

Amazing product for all ages, very user friendly!

Hi Egeg1296, thank you for the excellent review and nice comments! People who use our products are at the heart of all our decisions. Please feel free to check out our Proloquo2Go Help section (www.assistiveware.com/support/proloquo2go) and Learn AAC section (www.assistiveware.com/learn-aac) for helpful information on using the app and articles to guide you on your communication journey. If you ever have questions about Proloquo2Go or are looking for suggestions on an AAC topic, please drop us an email at support@assistiveware.com and one of our team members will be happy to help you. :-)

The developer, AssistiveWare, indicated that the app's privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer's privacy policy.

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

Seller

AssistiveWare B.V.

Compatibility

iPhone

Requires iOS 15.6 or later.

iPad

Requires iPadOS 15.6 or later.

iPod touch

Requires iOS 15.6 or later.

Languages

English, Dutch, French, Spanish

In-App Purchases

Gateway vocabulary $199.99

Family Sharing

Some in‑app purchases, including subscriptions, may be shareable with your family group when Family Sharing is enabled.

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‎Tap images. Type words. Speak. Proloquo2Go is an easy to use communication app for people who cannot speak or need help being understood. Featuring natural sounding voices, including real children's voices, Proloquo2Go is a simple yet powerful AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) tool. T...

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LAMP focuses on providing a full language system that maintains consistent motor plans for words. Best for students with motor learning difficulties.

High-Tech

Implementation: Introduce common words and phrases in consistent locations on the device, supporting motor learning.

Evaluation: Assess the student's ability to express a wider range of concepts and participate in more complex conversations.

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We only use strictly necessary cookies for this website. Please see the privacy policy for more information. Got it!

About the LAMP Words for Life® App

LAMP Words for Life ® is structured to enable early success and allow the client's vocabulary and communication skills to grow in a way that doesn't require re-learning along the way. Because this is a pre-programmed vocabulary program, Words for Life doesn't require extensive customization.
Learn more about the app Did you know you can get this app on a funded device? Find out how
New! Inclusive Voices and The VoiceKeeper free with every app

Features to Support Language Learning

LAMP Words for Life ® has thousands of words to support robust communication. It allows the individual to put words together to say whatever they want to say, use verb and adjective forms, and add word endings to use language the same as verbal speakers. Having a robust communication system even if the individual is an emergent communicator, allows for words to be learned the way they will always be said on the device. It provides a pathway for unlimited growth with no change and relearning along the way. There are features in the app to simplify learning while maintaining consistency.

One Motor Pattern per Word

With verbal speech, a word is always produced by the same motor movement. That movement becomes automatic so we don't have to think about how to produce those sounds. LAMP Words for Life ® follows the same principal. Each word is produced by a unique motor movement that remains consistent whether there are 10 words or all words showing.

Learn More

Vocabulary Builder

When teaching words to beginning communicators, it may be helpful to limit the words available on the screen to increase success. Vocabulary Builder lets you target select words during engaging activities so the learner can practice the motor movement without visual distraction while hearing the word and learning it through a natural response.

Learn More

Word Finder

Word Finder helps you learn where a word is stored. For example, if you want to teach the word "thirsty" but you don't know where to find it, use the Word Finder tool to type in the word to see where it's located. Touch the picture sequence to practice the motor plan.

Learn More

Support & Education

We know achieving communication success is a process that involves much more than providing an app, so we have created a variety of resources and training to support you along the way! We offer support articles, video tutorials, live and recorded webinars on teaching strategies and app use, along with free email support and premium support offerings for those who want more personalized, real-time assistance.
Learn more

The Approach Behind the App

The LAMP Words for Life ® app is unique in that it was designed specifically to support the Language Acquisition through Motor Planning approach. LAMP Words for Life ® is a therapeutic approach based on neurological and motor learning principles that uses a speech generating device to provide opportunities to learn language in engaging activities by using a consistent motor plan to say words and getting a natural response to that communication.

The Center for AAC & Autism is dedicated to building awareness of the power of AAC to change the lives of individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, who are challenged by limited spontaneous communication skills. The Center offers trainings on the LAMP Words for Life ® approach and collaborates with PRC-Saltillo to assure LAMP Words for Life ® meets the needs off communicators using the approach.

Visit aacandautism.com

Meet the App Developer

When you can't speak, life can feel overwhelming - but it doesn't have to be that way. Experience the life-changing joy of meaningful communication through our world-renowned, customized AAC vocabularies, assistive technology, and our unmatched training and personalized support. Trust our 50+ years of AAC experience to guide you to the right communication solution. Connect with us to learn more.

Visit prc-saltillo.com

Testimonials

See what people are saying about LAMP Words for Life ®

"

LAMP has been life changing for my son! He went from being 4 years old and having less than 20 words to typing 2-4 word expressions within a couple months. He was so happy to finally tell us all the stuff he was thinking, but had no way to express. LAMP has given him a voice to express his needs, wants, emotions and so much more, just like other kids. With LAMP he fully participates in school and family life. I can't imagine how hard he would struggle with frustrations if didn't have his talker.

"

- Tessa Hurd

"

If you've never watched the scene from Mr. Holland's Opus where the mom had a heartbreaking meltdown over communication with her son-you would not understand the daily frustration and heartbreak we went through prior to LAMP. LAMP has been an absolutely life changing tool for our family! Our daughter has Robertsonian Unbalanced Translocation Down Syndrome, Dyspraxia of speech, sensory processing issues, and is mostly unintelligible even to trained or familiar ears. LAMP has given us so much hope for an independent life for our girl. LAMP has given us a way to communicate with our daughter and a way for her to give us her thoughts on what's happening in her day to day life.

"

- Heather Johnson

"

We did not find LAMP WFL until our son was 4 years old. Week after week after week of speech therapy and developmental preschool, and he refused to use any method of communication they tried. And then an SLP at his intensive feeding program brought me into a session where she had let him use LAMP WFL. I cried happy tears listening to him intentionally communicate for the first time in his life with what would become his voice. He had needed access to a robust language system, and LAMP WFL was able to provide it in such a way that his communication skills soared. When our son was able to start verbally speaking over 3 years later, it was with the consistency and confidence LAMP WFL had given him.

"

- Jessica Savage

Subscribe to PRC-Saltillo's monthly newsletter and stay in-the-know for all things AAC!

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We only use strictly necessary cookies for this website. Please see the privacy policy for more information. Got it! LAMP Words for Life ® is structured to enable early success and allow the client's vocabulary and communication skills to grow in a way that doesn't require re-learning along the way.

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Cutler, D., & Wooten-LaFranier, L. (2023). Assistive technology (AT). Arizona Department of Education. https://www.azed.gov/specialeducation/at

Ganz, J. B., & Simpson, R. L. (2018). Interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and complex communication needs (AAC). Brookes Publishing. ISBN-13: 9781681252292

Vogindroukas, I., Stankova, M., Chelas, E.-N., & Proedrou, A. (2022). Language and Speech Characteristics in Autism. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 18, 2367+. https://link-gale-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/apps/doc/A727013932/HRCA?u=canyonuniv&sid=bookmark-HRCA&xid=8ab71288