How We Use PECS to Support Benji’s Communication

We use the Picture Exchange (PECS) to help Benji develop expressive communication skills. Our goal is to give Benji a clear and consistent visual system that allows him to make requests, express preferences, and engage meaningfully with others.

Benji’s communication journey has been quite different from Giulietta’s, even with the same diagnosis, he experiences more challenges with processing and hand-eye coordination. These factors make it difficult for him to use the iPad effectively, so PECS provides a more accessible, hands-on way for him to communicate.

Teaching Requests

We start by teaching Benji how to use picture cards to communicate during daily routines like breakfast, lunch, or dinner. He has a set of three key cards that say “more,” “all done,” and “I need help.” For example, during a meal, Benji uses the “more” card when he wants more food or “all done” when he’s finished eating. We also incorporate these cards into other activities throughout the day, when having a snack, cleaning up cones, or completing a puzzle.

We intentionally use these cards throughout the day to model their meaning in real situations. For example, when Benji finishes an activity, we model “all done” as we clean up together, or when he reaches for more food, we model “more.” If he struggles with a task, we model “I need help” before offering assistance. By using the cards only when they naturally fit the context, Benji learns that these words have real purpose and can be used meaningfully to express his needs in everyday situations.

Interacting with others

We focus on “Hello/Good-morning” and “Goodbye/Goodnight” cards to support Benji’s need to connect with others. Even though he is nonverbal, he has a strong urge to communicate, and these cards give him the tools to express greetings and farewells independently. By practicing these social exchanges regularly, with peers, colleagues, and family, we help Benji participate in meaningful interactions. These cards provide a simple but powerful way for him to engage socially, reinforcing that communication isn’t just about requests, it’s also about connecting with people.

Embedding PECS into Daily Routines

We use a variety of PECS and visual supports to help Benji communicate throughout his day. He has a personalized communication binder made with laminated, velcro pictures that correspond to every place and activity he participates in.

• For example, at Ikea, Benji uses a checklist of items, a “to-do list," with checkmarks to indicate when he has completed a task. He also has a binder to communicate with colleagues and request help when needed.

• At Baycrest, where he volunteers in the café, he uses a checklist to find items like cloth spray and markers, and another checklist to mark off tasks once he has completed them.

• At home, we provide “What do I need?” binders for Benji to gather ingredients for meal preparation, reinforcing independence and functional communication.

• Additionally, Benji has a Starbucks binder, as he has always loved visiting coffee shops to watch people work. He uses picture cards to order his favourite items, like banana bread and iced coffee.

• We are also working on the concept of “Go,” pairing it with a picture of Starbucks.

By incorporating PECS and visual supports into real-life routines, Benji learns that his communication binder is a functional tool for daily life, build independence and the ability to confidently express himself.

Practice + Monitoring Progress

Even though Benji’s communication is not always consistent, we are continually supporting him on his communication journey, providing guidance whenever he needs it. By getting to know Benji on a personal level, we are often able to anticipate his wants and needs, which allows us to support him effectively while still encouraging him to try using his communication tools. We always follow through with what he requests, reinforcing that his voice has impact. Our role as educators is to do everything we can to unlock Benji’s voice, provide him with the tools he needs, and help him succeed in expressing himself independently.