This research article discussed the authors findings when they reviewed 34 articles that contained data and protocols of PECS. The researchers found that since PECS was created in 1994, the number of research articles published per year has increased greatly.
Most of the articles studied whether or not PECS would aid in increasing functional communication and language acquisition. 26 out of 34 articles focused on children with PDD-NOS and ASD (around 386 between all of the articles).
A few common themes amongst the articles were that the requesting methods taught through PECS were more effective than other language acquisition intervention methods. The treatment integrity of the studies varied based on individual characteristics of participants, trainers preparedness, supervision techniques, intervention fidelity, and the schedule of visits. The integrity and fidelity in which PECS is implemented has a direct effect on the results of functional communication and/or language acquisition. Another important factor that was reported across studies was that PECS provides nonverbal children and adults a way to functionally communicate with others regardless of whether they speak English or not.
References
Sulzer-Azaroff, B., Hoffman, A. O., Horton, C. B., Bondy, A., & Frost, L. (2009).
The picture exchange communication system (PECS): What do the data
say? Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 24(2), 89-
103. doi:10.1177//1088357609332743
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