#96 - PECS & Autism: Powerful Tool or Outdated Approach? - With SLPs Paulina Elias and Amanda Blackwell

Is PECS out as an AAC tool for autistic kids? Today, we’re diving into a hot topic in the world of autism and communication: the Picture Exchange Communication System, or PECS. Over the years, PECS has been widely used as a way for autistic children to communicate, but as new research and insights have emerged, there’s been a lot of conversation—some of it controversial—around its effectiveness and limitations.

In this episode, I’m thrilled to be joined by two speech-language pathologists, Paulina Elias, and Amanda Blackwell, from Natural Communication, who share their invaluable expertise on PECS and the bigger picture of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) for autistic children. We explore how PECS started, what it offers, and why more and more professionals are moving toward more flexible, child-led communication methods that honor autonomy and individuality.

You’ll hear us discuss everything from the importance of giving kids the freedom to say ‘no’ to strategies that empower communication beyond requests. Plus, we talk about the pitfalls of hand-over-hand prompting and the emerging preference for tools that grow with a child’s communication needs.

If you’re an educator, parent, or anyone working with autistic children, this episode will give you new perspectives on PECS, AAC, and the role of true connection in supporting autistic communication. Get ready for a thought-provoking discussion that might change the way you think about communication support!

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Tu4rKeAM0dc

Connect With Paulina & Amanda:

• Our English website (for free resources, our parent and professional courses, professional development events, and individual consultations info): www.naturalcommunication.com

• Our Spanish website (for free resources, our parent and professional courses, professional development events, and individual consultations info): www.comunicacion-natural.com

• Our socials: @natural.communication (English) and @comunicacionnatural (Spanish)

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natural.communication/ and https://www.instagram.com/comunicacionnatural

Resources Mentioned:

• ASHA Journal Article: https://pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2023_PERSP-23-00098

• Playground AAC board:https://www.prc-saltillo.com/articles/playground-core-communication-boards-from-prc-saltillo?mode=view

• PRC Saltillo core: https://saltillo.com/chatcorner/content/29

• GRID core board: https://thinksmartbox.com/news/low-tech-super-core-resources/

• Avaz core board: https://avazapp.com/avaz-aac-coreboards/

• Assistiveware core boards in different languages: https://www.assistiveware.com/learn-aac/quick-communication-boards

• Project Core boards: https://www.project-core.com/communication-systems/

• Smarty Symbols Core: https://smartysymbols.com/free-core-board-download/

Bios: 

Paulina Elias, M.Cl.Sc., SLP Reg. CASLPO

Paulina is a multilingual speech language pathologist (SLP) living in Canada. Although she works with people of different ages and communicative needs, she has a special interest in the areas of multilingualism, gestalt language development, and autism. Paulina enjoys collaborating directly with families and interdisciplinary teams in each person's native language. At this time, Paulina offers international consults virtua