I
The article Effects of PECS on the Emergence of Vocal Mands and the Reduction of Aggressive Behavior Across Settings for a Child with Autism by Xiaoyi Hu, PhD and Gabrielle Lee, Ph.D. majors on the usage od Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). PECS was developed in 1994 by Frost and Body to facilitate and enhance communication for people lacking proper spoken skill with emphasis on the mands, tacts, and intra-verbal communication skill. The use of picture (PECS) became a significant method of teaching children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as other developmental disorders (DD) related to delayed language development, poor social communication skill as well as those who shown problem behaviors. This teaching strategy involves the exchange of pictures to aid eased communication. The strategy involves six-phases of progressive learning for the learners to adequately adapt the communication strategy. Over time, this method has shown its significance in the improvement of communication with the target group being able to improve their communication skill and behavioral changes. The strategy is also attributed to the development of vocal speech development in some participants. In China, however, the PECS has not been effectively implemented due to lack of professionalism in the field, which requires qualified personnel to implement effectively.
Procedure
A 4 years old boy named Coco was used as a specimen of the experiment. Coco was diagnosed with ASD using the Chinese version of the Childhood Autism Rating Scale with a scale of with a score of 36.5, in the range of severe autism. The child was presented with various items to choose from, and the favorite ones were marked and re-introduced in the subsequent sessions. The items were later substituted with pictorial representations which proved to bear a positive impact on the use of PECS. Coco was able to identify his favorite toys on the picture and following the various steps of the procedure. This proved that PECS indeed was an effective strategy in improving communication for ASD and DD cases.
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II
The article, The Power of the Mand: Utilizing the Mand Repertoire to Decrease Problem Behavior by Sheila M. Cornelius Habarad, expounds on the relevance of using mand in language development for children who are vocally nonverbal. Children are exposed to hundreds of mands every day, which can expose the child to self-injurious behavior (SIB) trying to choose which one to adopt. In this wake, the acquisition of mand for children can be very challenging, which may require the assistance of the family to guide the child. Children with autism may be the most affected individuals in this case. Therefore, the family has to choose the most effective and conversant mand to use in the language development of their child. The choices may include sign language, picture exchange communication system (PECS) or aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. For effective implementation of the mand of choice, the family has to first familiarize with it to aid effective language development to the target child. This restrains the child from acquiring self-injurious behaviors and focus on a mand that helps them develop effective communication skills.
Procedure
A 12-year-old boy was used as a sample for the experiment, and Picture exchange communication system (PECS) was used as the primary mand in language development. Other mands were technically introduced during different phases of learning. Despite the difficulties portrayed in adopting a specific mand by the child initially, he was able to progress his learning using PECS as the primary method. The learning result was positive as the child was able to develop new communication skills at the end of the exercise.
Works Cited
Cornelius Habarad, S. M. (2015). The power of the mand: Utilizing the mand repertoire to decrease problem behavior. Behavioral Development Bulletin, 20(2), 158.
Hu, X., & Lee, G. (2018). Effects of PECS on the Emergence of Vocal Mands and the Reduction of Aggressive Behavior Across Settings for a Child With Autism. Behavioral Disorders, 0198742918806925.
