The PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) was originally designed for use with preschool children who did not have a functional or socially acceptable way of speaking. By this, we mean that these children do not speak at all, they speak in a way that others do not understand, speak only in a "self stimulatory" manner or are extremely echolalic.

PECS allows children a means of communicating within a social context. Children are taught to find a picture of a desired item, approach a communicative partner, and give them the picture in exchange for the desired item. By doing this, the child initiates a communicative act for a concrete outcome within a social context. PECS will not prevent your child from verbally communicating if your child is capable of using verbal communication. The child is removed from PECS when he is able to communicate freely.