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Communication Strategies and Systems

1. Strategy: Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

Type: Low-tech

How It Supports Students with ASD:
PECS helps non-verbal students or those with limited communication skills express their needs and wants by exchanging pictures for items or actions. For example, a student might give a picture of a snack to request food during lunchtime.

Steps for Proper Implementation:

1. Begin by introducing the concept of exchanging a picture for a desired item.

2. Gradually build vocabulary by adding more pictures and creating sentence strips.

3. Train teachers, paraprofessionals, and parents in using and expanding the system.

Evaluating Effectiveness:
Monitor the student’s ability to initiate communication, increase vocabulary usage, and reduce frustration-related behaviors. Conduct regular observations and collect data on the frequency and variety of picture exchanges.

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Join the hundreds of thousands of educators who have utilized Pyramid's services and products to become better teachers and ignite the potential of every student. Pyramid offers and provides products, resources, and everything in between.

We offer solutions that produce immediate results

Learn innovative strategies and techniques that will motivate students, expand learning, and improve student performance

We personalize effective learning for each student, classroom, and program

Pyramid is the sole source for PECS, the evidenced-based functional communication system, and the Pyramid Approach to Education.

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Join the hundreds of thousands of educators who have utilized Pyramid's services and products to become better teachers and ignite the potential of every student. Pyramid offers and provides products, resources, and everything in between.

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Device: Proloquo2Go App

Type: High-tech

How It Supports Students with ASD:
This iPad-based app allows students to construct sentences using symbols, providing a voice for those with verbal communication challenges. For instance, a student may use the app to say, “I want to play outside.”

Steps for Proper Implementation:

1. Customize the app based on the student’s needs (e.g., vocabulary, icons).

2. Train the student on basic navigation and sentence construction.

3. Provide ongoing support to teachers and paraprofessionals.

Evaluating Effectiveness:
Track the student’s frequency of using the app to communicate, the complexity of sentences formed, and whether their communication needs are being met. Use progress data and feedback from teachers and parents.

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Our AAC app family has two new members supporting children and parents on their AAC journey.

Built from the ground up with an easy-to-use layout, step-by-step guidance and support, you can easily make communication with AAC a part of your everyday life.

Try AssistiveWare Proloquo and Proloquo Coach free of charge for one month.

You'll love how this symbol-based app helps users learn how to express themselves. Proloquo2Go puts the user's development first, with innovative features based on clinical knowledge and user research.

It's also one of the few AAC apps designed to support all users, from beginning to advanced. Completely customizable and designed for a range of fine-motor and visual skills, the app's versatility makes it useful for non-speaking people with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and a range of other diagnoses or speech impediments like apraxia and dysarthria.

Grow and develop

Communicate with ease

Core words stay in the same place throughout the vocabulary to aid motor planning.

Customizable folder organization. You can also create your own folders easily, based on thematic templates.

Designed for a range of fine-motor and visual skills with options like 23 pre-programmed grid sizes and accessibility settings which support scanning and Apple's VoiceOver.

Use it your way

"
The app continues to grow with us, and each update brings only greater utility and reward. Rupert is seventeen now, and I can't see us ever using any other communication format.

Proloquo2Go lets you be you. Choose from 100 voices, ranging from friendly adult voices to genuine children's voices and bilingual voices. The voices are created using real recorded speech, making them feel surprisingly natural. For some languages, you even have multiple options.

Exploring insurance options for Proloquo2Go? We've got you covered.

Our partner, AbleNet, specializes in guiding people through the insurance process for AAC apps and devices. AbleNet works with ALL speech-language pathologists, regardless of their experience with speech devices.

Visit AbleNet's site or contact our support team and get Proloquo2Go the hassle-free way.

Proloquo2Go

AAC Essentials Bundle

Proloquo2Go

Help & Support

Join the community

Ask our Support team

Make every environment set up for quick access to AAC. These printable communication boards are handy to use across different environments. This is very helpful when the device is not available. Using core word boards means you can make AAC always available.
Quick communication boards (new!)
More words to communicate with. Read how to use the Quick communication boards.
Core word boards

Gateway to Language & Learning is an efficient core word vocabulary offering user vocabularies for children, teens, and adults.

Proloquo2Go has the CrescendoTM core word vocabulary built-in. The Gateway to Language and Learning© vocabulary is available as an in-app purchase.

Learn more about Crescendo and Gateway

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Proloquo2Go - AAC app with symbols - AssistiveWare

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You'll love how this symbol-based app helps users learn how to express themselves. Proloquo2Go puts the user's development first, with innovative features based on clinical knowledge and user research.

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Strategy: Social Stories

Type: Low-tech

How It Supports Students with ASD:
Social stories provide a visual and written narrative to teach appropriate behaviors and responses in various social situations. For instance, a story might describe steps for initiating a conversation with a peer.

Steps for Proper Implementation:

1. Create a personalized story addressing the student’s specific social or communication challenge.

2. Review the story with the student regularly.

3. Reinforce concepts during real-life situations.

Evaluating Effectiveness:
Assess whether the student demonstrates improved social or communication skills in scenarios outlined in the story. Use teacher and peer feedback to gauge success.

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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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Strategy: Video Modeling

Type: High-tech

How It Supports Students with ASD:
Video modeling helps students learn social and communication skills by watching a model demonstrate desired behaviors. For example, a student could watch a video of how to ask for help in class.

Steps for Proper Implementation:

1. Record a video of the desired skill or select a pre-made video.

2. Have the student watch the video multiple times.

3. Prompt and encourage the student to replicate the behavior in real-life contexts.

Evaluating Effectiveness:
Document the frequency and accuracy of the student’s performance of the target skill. Use pre- and post-intervention comparisons to determine progress.

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AFIRM Modules are designed to help you learn the step-by-step process of planning for, using, and monitoring an evidence-based practice (EBP) with learners on the spectrum from birth to 22 years of age. Supplemental materials and handouts are available for download.

Download an overview of the Components of AFIRM to learn about modules, resources, and professional development options.

Visit the Learn with AFIRM section to find out more.

To learn more about the updated EBPs, check out the National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice website.

Introduction to Autism

Selecting an Evidence-Based Practice

AFIRM for Paraprofessionals: Simulated E-Learning

These simulated learning modules include brief overviews, video examples, and activity-based scenarios to learn foundational EBPs.

Reinforcement: Introduction & Practice

Prompting: Introduction & Practice

Supporting Peer Interactions: Introduction & Practice

Time Delay: Introduction & Practice

Visual Cues: Introduction & Practice

AFIRM for Toddlers

AFIRM for Toddlers are a set a of modules developed in collaboration with the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center for early interventionists working with toddlers, families, and early care providers.

AFIRM for Toddlers Introduction

Behavior Supports for Toddlers

Naturalistic Interventions in the Child Care Setting

Parent-Implemented Interventions in the Home Setting

Reinforcement

Prompting

Visual Supports

Available Evidence-Based Practice Modules

The National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice (NCAEP) identified 28 EBPs based upon a systematic review. The EBP modules are designed to help you learn the step-by-step process for planning for, using, and monitoring an EBP with learners with autism from birth to 22 years of age.

Augmentative & Alternative Communication

Antecedent-Based Interventions

Ayres Sensory Integration®

Behavioral Momentum Intervention

Cognitive Behavioral Intervention

Direct Instruction

Differential Reinforcement

Discrete Trial Training

Exercise

Extinction

Functional Behavioral Assessment

Functional Communication Training

Modeling

Music-Mediated Intervention

Naturalistic Intervention

Peer-Mediated Instruction & Intervention

Parent-Implemented Intervention

Prompting

Reinforcement

Response Interruption/ Redirection

Self-Management

Social Narratives

Social Skills Training

Task Analysis

Technology-Aided Instruction & Intervention

Time Delay

Video Modeling

Visual Supports

Available Supplemental Modules

Several EBPs identified in the previous review (Wong et al., 2014) were recategorized or reclassified in the most recent review by the National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence & Practice (see Steinbrenner et al., 2020, p. 30 for details). The four modules below will remain available for AFIRM users as supplemental materials:

Picture Exchange Communication System

Pivotal Response Training

Scripting

Structured Play Groups

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AFIRM Modules AFIRM Modules are designed to help you learn the step-by-step process of planning for, using, and monitoring an evidence-based practice (EBP) with learners on the spectrum from birth to 22 years of age. Supplemental materials and handouts are available for download.

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Device: GoTalk Communication Device

Type: Low-tech

How It Supports Students with ASD:
GoTalk provides recorded messages on a simple grid interface, enabling students to communicate basic needs and preferences. It is ideal for students who require a lightweight, portable device.

Steps for Proper Implementation:

1. Program relevant phrases or words into the device.

2. Teach the student how to press the buttons for communication.

3. Gradually expand vocabulary as the student’s skills improve.

Evaluating Effectiveness:
Track the number of interactions and how effectively the student communicates their needs. Collect data from observations and staff feedback.

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