How to Use a Picture Exchange System to Help an Autistic Child Make Choices

How to Use a Picture Exchange System with An Autistic Child to Make Choices at Home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer, Velcro, cardboard,, Board maker computer program for autistic individuals

1. In order to initiate a Choice PECS board in an autistic child's home, you will need the Board Maker program that can be borrowed from any Autistic center or a local library. Choose no more than four choices for the choice board and decided on what area you want to use it for. most parents start out with snack choice boards. Cookies, chips, goldfish and graham crackers usually work well. Choose the Board maker symbols for these four choices and print them. Then cut the squares of each out.

2. With your Board maker program, search for the picture for the word Choice. It will be a hand pointing to different shape squares. Run this off and cut the square out.

3. Cut out a three inch wide, by six inch long, piece of cardboard or construction paper.

Tips & Warnings

• The last step is to place one soft Velcro dot at the top of the cardboard rectangle. About two inches below that, place four equally spaced soft Velcro dots down the length of the vertical board. Place a hard Velcro dot on the back of the Choice Picture and place it on the soft Velcro at the top of the vertical cardboard piece. Place a hard Velcro dot on the back of the four food choice pictures and place them on the soft Velcro dots on the vertical cardboard. You will not have a choice board, with four food choices for your autistic child to choose from.
• It will take a week or more for the child to become accustomed to using the Choice Board at home. After the child becomes accustomed to it, you can add more snack food choices.