PECS - Pyramid Australia

NEW PODCAST EPISODE WITH THE CREATORS OF PECS🎙️

In this episode of Just Another Autism Podcast, Eileen Lamb interviews Andy Bondy and Lori Frost, the creators of the Picture Exchange Communication System® (PECS®) and the Pyramid Approach to Education®. Their organization empowers individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, and communication challenges, allowing them to shape their own lives and actively engage with the world around them.

The PECSTalk™ app is NOW available for Android Smart Tablets! Purchase within the Google Play Store!

PECSTalk™ is an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) app for use by individuals with complex communication needs, including those on the autism spectrum. Designed by the developers of the evidence-based Picture Exchange Communication System® (PECS®), this high-tech option is customizable and easy to use.

The PECSTalk™ app can be used to make requests, respond to questions, comment, and ask questions while developing grammar and expanding vocabulary. By converting pictures and text into spoken language, the PECSTalk™ app empowers non-speaking learners to fully participate in their school, home, vocational, and community settings.

PECSTalk™ Lite is a free version of PECSTalk™ with limited functionality for you to test and see if PECSTalk™ is the right communication app for your learner.

The PECSTalk™ app has one-time pricing and is not subscription based!

To learn more visit pecstalk.com

Coming Soon… The PECSTalk™ app will be available for Android Smart Tablets on Monday, July 8th!

PECSTalk™ is an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) app for use by individuals with complex communication needs, including those on the autism spectrum. Designed by the developers of the evidence-based Picture Exchange Communication System® (PECS®), this high-tech option is customizable and easy to use.

The PECSTalk™ app can be used to make requests, respond to questions, comment, and ask questions while developing grammar and expanding vocabulary. By converting pictures and text into spoken language, the PECSTalk™ app empowers non-speaking learners to fully participate in their school, home, vocational, and community settings.

Stay tuned for more information! To learn more visit www.pecstalk.com or email us with any questions: [email protected]

The PECS communication book is so Available in 7 vibrant colours 🖤💙💚🧡💜❤️💛

Perfect for capsule vocabulary for......
🏖 outings
🏀 sports & outdoor pursuits
🏥 medical appointments
🔥 Functionally Equivalent Alternative Behaviour vocabulary
📆 Alternative mini schedule format

How do you use your mini communication book?

GREEN!! Many of our products come in 6 or 7 colours 🖤💙💚🧡💜❤️💛 Whether you need visual strategies or custom products you can match or mix and match colours for your perfect visual environment! Order via link in bio

BLUE!! Many of our products come in 6 or 7 colours 🖤💙💚🧡💜❤️💛 Whether you need visual strategies or custom products you can match or mix and match colours for your perfect visual environment! Order via link in bio

YELLOW!! Many of our products come in 6 or 7 colours 🖤💙💚🧡💜❤️💛 Whether you need visual strategies or custom products you can match or mix and match colours for your perfect visual environment! Order via link in bio

ORANGE!! Many of our products come in 6 or 7 colours 🖤💙💚🧡💜❤️💛 Whether you need visual strategies or custom products you can match or mix and match colours for your perfect visual environment! Order via link in bio

RED!! Many of our products come in 6 or 7 colours 🖤💙💚🧡💜❤️💛 Whether you need visual strategies or custom products you can match or mix and match colours for your perfect visual environment! Order via link in bio

Trainings coming up near you :) https://mailchi.mp/pecs/upcoming-trainings-and-webinars-qld-nsw-wa-dates-just-announced

Join the developers of PECS, Andy Bondy, PhD & Lori Frost, M.S., CCC-SLP and our Autism Parent Panel on Wednesday, April 24th at 12:00pm ET (That's 2AM AEST / 4AM NSZST on the 25th). You’ll hear from parents with a wide range of experiences from around the world. Join the live discussion with our special guests, Mandy Aulak, Karen Francis, Jennifer McGee, and Keiko Suzuki as they share their experiences with autism, parenting, PECS, and more during this insightful live panel and Q & A session. Join the group today by searching “PECS User Support” on Facebook!







https://www.facebook.com/LifeWithBrockNavigatingSpecialNeeds

New Autism Acceptance Month Blog! Jennifer McGee is an artist, autism parent, and now children’s book author who has been caring for her nephew Isahiah since he was 15 years old. Like many individuals with profound autism, Isahiah relies on his guardians to help him meet all of his basic daily needs. When Isahiah came to live with Jennifer and her husband, Brandon, he had no functional way to communicate and very few independent living skills. Acting not only as his guardians but as his advocates and biggest supporters, Jennifer and Brandon helped provide Isahiah with the therapy and services he needed to develop new, critical skills.

Through a steady routine of ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis), Speech, and Occupational Therapy, along with PECS® (Picture Exchange Communication System®) and other AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) use, and gradual exposure to community activities, Isahiah has developed many functional communication and meaningful life skills.

Rather than dwelling on what Isahiah can’t do, his family focuses on all of the successes he has accomplished and the joy he brings to their family. To help children understand what communication can look like for a non-speaking person, Jennifer has written a book called, Izzy Can’t Talk.

To read more about their journey together, visit https://pecsaustralia.com/newsfeed/izzy-cant-talk-an-interview-with-author-and-parent-jennifer-mcgee/

Special thanks to the McGee family for sharing their story with us! You can find Jennifer’s art work on her website inclusivearthouse.com and use code PECS20 for 20% off!

We are excited to announce our Pyramid FUNctional Conference 2024: Ever-Evolving Strategies taking place virtually on October 15th, 2024.

Our international team, led by the developers of PECS®, Lori Frost, MS, CCC-SLP and Andy Bondy, PhD have created brand new, dynamic content for this year’s conference! This one-day virtual conference will provide evidence-based strategies to ignite skill-building through a multi-cultural lens for professionals in the fields of speech and language, behavior, special education and more.

Join us to gain a wealth of information and the opportunity to earn ASHA CEUs, BACB CEUs, and more. Stay tuned for additional details and to register!

Don’t miss the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies’ 17th Annual Conference on Autism: Research-Based Solutions on Friday, April 5th. This one-day conference features leading experts in the fields of Science, Special Education, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Attend in-person in Berwyn, PA or join this hybrid event remotely.

As an invited speaker, Dr. Andy Bondy presents “Pyramid Approach to Education: Creating Effective Learning Environments Around the Globe.” The Pyramid Approach to Education® (PAE) is a time-tested approach based on the science of learning. In this presentation, elements of the PAE will be highlighted across countries and cultures. Through multiple video examples, Dr. Bondy will illustrate the application of the elements of the Pyramid around the globe. Participants will explore how small changes in their teaching will result in more meaningful outcomes for all.

Earn your BACB® Learning CEUs and/or Psychology CE Credits. To learn more and register, visit behavior.org

Pyramid & PECS Problem Solvers sessions are available once a quarter via zoom. Join us to discuss all things Pyramid and PECS https://mailchi.mp/pecs/pyramid-and-pecs-problem-solvers

I have what I need....but it's not working properly! I can see what I want....but I can't reach it! Soooo FRUSTRATING 😤

I want to do my work in class...but I'm just not sure how 😥

Teaching requesting for help makes such a difference in decreasing frustration, and will help with self regulation and emerging self advocacy skills.

Starting with strategies from the ensures spontaneous initiation and generalisation of this skill.

💫 Be sure to teach discrimination between asking for and item and asking for assistance

💫 build other functional and critical communication skills alongside requesting to create the base for extending language

Understanding vocabulary is an essential building block for further language development.

Systematically teaching accurate use of vocab, modelling, and correcting errors in vocabulary choice promotes independence and success!

Top tips for teaching at Phase III of PECS include:
💫 Start with preferred/non-preferred pairings - motivation is key!
💫 Wait for initiation - learner goes first in this conversation
💫 Oooohhhhh the NEW skill ;)
💫 Treat errors as another teachable moment and kindly correct
💫 Collect your data - and never score step 4

Check out the 4 Step Error Correction poster on our sisters companies socials https://www.facebook.com/PECSUK/photos/a.261965540533842/4430891670307854/

To follow a visual schedule, it’s important to first know what the picture directions say. Taking some time to teach single picture direction following ensures the pictures used to indicate various activities and locations are known. This allows quickly building to independence in schedule following. Building skills a step at a time helps to grow independence.

Learn more with our Teaching Critical Communication Skills workshop via the Pyramid Online Learning Portal https://www.pyramidonlinelearning.com/moodle/course/index.php

Key to extending communication is learning to seek out a listener. Whether the learner is a vocal communicator or using an AAC this skill is pivotal.

The various skills taught at Phase II of PECS ensure independent communication.

Consider when and how to teach:
💫 Travelling to and with any communication tool
💫 Travelling to communication partner/listener
💫 Gaining the listener's attention
💫 Charging high-tech devices
💫 Switching to low battery mode
💫 Communicating in a group
💫 Placing communication tool in its home location
💫 Calling the listener when needed

Revisit this skill when teaching phases III-VI of PECS, help, and break.

The PECS Training Manual (2nd Edition) includes strategies for teaching key communication and language skills. https://pecsaustralia.com/store/

A new school year brings new communication opportunities. Whether you’re introducing an AAC for the first time or generalising skills to a new classroom the PECS and Critical Communication Skills Checklist will come in handy. Establishing key communication skills will ensure a smooth transition back to school. The checklist will help to ensure that learners progress is tracked as communication skills are expanded.

Download the form via the Free Materials section of our website https://pecsaustralia.com/free-materials/

The number one skill we're asked to teach is expression of emotions. With a stepped out plan we can work towards this goal :) - https://mailchi.mp/pecs/back-to-school-for-2024-teaching-emotions-and-self-regulation-27gt39h2ho

Join Lori Frost, MS, CCC-SLP, co-developer of PECS®, for a free 1-hour talk, “Creating the Foundation for Effective SGD Use” on February 7th at 3:00pm ET!

There are several skills that are important for fluent use of a Speech Generating Device (SGD). Many of these foundational communication skills are taught within the Picture Exchange Communication System® (PECS) protocol. Without these skills, our learners may have difficulty using an SGD or app.

As research has supported, young PECS users often develop independent speech. When speech does not develop, learners who have these foundational communication skills, will be better prepared to transition to an SGD. This presentation will describe how to capitalize on the teaching strategies used within the PECS protocol that contribute to successfully introducing or transitioning to an SGD.

Register to attend FREE! https://pecsusa.com/workshops/creating-the-foundation-for-effective-sgd-use-eastern-time-zone-online-february-2024/

School is BACK for 2024! We can't wait to see the progress your learners will make this year. If you need a little help with getting started, check out some of our helpful resources:

💫 PECS Data Forms Download: includes reinforcer assessment worksheet, forms for planning communication opportunities across the day, and data forms for all phases of PECS.

💫 Free materials section of our website for PECS and Critical Communication Skills IEP Goals.

💫 The Pyramid Approach to Education Manual (2nd Edition) available through our product store. Creating the right environment from the start will ensure that you get to the business of learning ASAP.

💫 Lesson Plans for Young Children Download, available through our online store, for lesson plans for a variety of skills including functional communication.

We're here to help with proactive strategies that create learning opportunities throughout your learners' day. Looking forward to working with your team soon :)

New Journal Article Review! Pyramid Journal Club: The Ethics of Interprofessional Collaboration. Join the developers of PECS®, Lori Frost, MS, CCC-SLP and Andy Bondy, PhD, and special guest, Rose Griffin, MA, CCC-SLP, BCBA, for this journal article review and live discussion on Wednesday, January 24th at 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm ET (NYC Time).

This unique continuing education experience will include a review of an article related to the ethics of interprofessional collaboration. Participants will read the article Maintaining Professional Relationships in an Interdisciplinary Setting: Strategies for Navigating Nonbehavioral Treatment Recommendations for Individuals with Autism, by Matthew T. Brodhead before joining the live discussion.



The 60-minute meeting session will allow time to further explore the concepts and recommendations included in the article along with the insights of our expert panel, and a Q & A session. After the discussion, a short quiz related to the content of the articles will be completed on the Pyramid Online Learning Portal. Upon completion of all requirements, participants will receive a certificate and are eligible for Ethics CEUs for ASHA, BACB and IBAO.

To learn more and register visit www.pyramidonlinelearning.com

We know that are challenges associated with accessing ongoing training and support. We're here to help with flexible options in 2024! - https://mailchi.mp/pecs/how-do-you-want-to-access-trainings-and-workshops-in-2024

With our 12 Days of CCS complete we're sure you've had some success with teaching the critical communication skills. Maybe you've even prevented or replaced a challenging behaviour through teaching communication skills.

Our Boxing Day CCS Sale ends tomorrow. Last chance for 15-50% discounts on products ~ see our online product store for details.

20% discount on PECS Level 1 and Challenging Behaviour: How to Prevent, Replace, and Reduce with code PROACTIVE ends at 11:59PM on 7th January 2024.

~ PECS Australia Team
www.pecsaustralia.com

On the eleventh day of CCS my PECS Team gave to me.... we typically teach taking a break from boring tasks, but it works equally well for things that are frustrating.

Our corresponding discounted products today are our set of 10 break cards and our Visual Strategies Toolkit.

~ PECS Australia Team
www.pecsaustralia.com