How to Make a Pecs Schedule for Autistic Kids

It can be difficult to communicate with an autistic child.

Autistic spectrum disorders cause communication and social delays. Some autistic children do not speak, making it difficult for parents and teachers to communicate with them about their desires as well as about tasks and chores that need to be done. A Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is one way to aid communication with nonverbal autistic children. A PECS visual schedule can help these children complete tasks, as well as aid communication.

Things You'll Need

• Computer and printer
• Pictures
• Laminating Sheets
• Velcro

Instructions

1. Go online and find clip art of activities the child is expected to complete. Download and print the pictures.

2. Laminate the pictures. Cut each laminated picture out.

3. Affix a Velcro strip to the back of each picture.

4. Make a colorful strip of paper with the child's name. Laminate the strip and affix velcro strips for each intended activity.

5. Attach the pictures in the order the child is expected to complete the activities.

Tips & Warnings

• The pictures should be easily recognizable to the child.

• The more colorful the pictures are, the better.

• Use a bold marker to make the child's name on his/her schedule strip.

• It can be helpful to the child to pull each picture off the strip and put it in a bowl or bucket as the activity is completed.

• The child may initially be upset by the schedule because it is new.

• Make sure to verbalize the task and demonstrate removing the item from the schedule after the task is completed so that the child can begin to learn how to use the schedule.

References

• Healing Thresholds: Autism Therapy: Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS)