Short answer

When designing communication aids for individuals with autism, consider how the system can be taught effectively and how its use might positively influence other social and behavioral aspects of the user's life.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (2002)
Method: Multiple baseline design
Sample: 3 participants
Evidence: Strong effect

Implementing the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) can lead to significant improvements in social-communicative behaviors and a reduction in problematic behaviors for children with autism. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2002 study published in Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. Using Multiple baseline design with 3 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing communication aids for individuals with autism, consider how the system can be taught effectively and how its use might positively influence other social and behavioral aspects of the user's life.

Study

User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactStrong effect

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) enhances social communication and reduces problem behaviors in children with autism

Implementing the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) can lead to significant improvements in social-communicative behaviors and a reduction in problematic behaviors for children with autism.

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis · 2002

Key Findings

01All participants successfully acquired PECS skills.
02Acquisition of PECS was associated with an increase in verbal speech.
03Improvements in social-communicative behaviors were observed.
04Problem behaviors decreased concurrently with PECS training.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing or evaluating communication tools for individuals with developmental differences, measure not only the primary function (e.g., communication) but also secondary effects on social interaction and behavior.

Project actions

01When researching communication aids, look for evidence of their impact beyond just the core function.
02Consider how a design might influence a user's overall well-being and social integration.

Method & Evidence

AimTo assess the effectiveness of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) in terms of acquisition, its impact on speech development, social-communicative behavior, and problem behavior in children with autism.

MethodMultiple baseline design

ProcedureThe study involved training three children with autism on the PECS. The researchers tracked the acquisition of PECS skills, observed changes in spontaneous speech in various settings, and recorded social-communicative behaviors and problem behaviors.

Sample3 participants

ContextEducational and therapeutic settings for children with autism.

Variables

IVImplementation of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS).

DV["Acquisition of PECS skills","Emergence of speech","Social-communicative behavior","Problem behavior"]

CV["Participant characteristics (e.g., diagnosis of autism)","Therapeutic setting","General developmental trajectory"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Employs a rigorous research design (multiple baseline) to establish causality.
+Examines multiple outcome measures, providing a comprehensive view of PECS's effects.

Limitations

The small number of participants means the results might be specific to those individuals and not representative of all children with autism. The study's focus on a specific intervention might not account for other factors influencing behavior.

Reliability & validity

The multiple baseline design strengthens internal validity by demonstrating that changes in behavior occur only after the intervention is introduced for each participant. Reliability would depend on consistent data collection procedures for behavioral measures.

Think critically

To what extent are the observed improvements in speech and social behavior direct consequences of PECS, versus general developmental progress or effects of the therapeutic setting?

Design Principles

"Effective assistive communication systems should facilitate not only basic communication but also foster broader social and behavioral development."

This research highlights the potential of a user-centred communication tool to not only address a core need (communication) but also to positively impact broader behavioral outcomes. Designers developing assistive technologies or educational tools for this demographic should consider integrated approaches that address multiple facets of user experience and development.

What This Means for Your Design

Using a picture-based communication system called PECS helped children with autism learn to communicate, talk more, be more social, and have fewer behavior problems.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the importance of user-centred design in communication aids and the potential for positive behavioral outcomes.
2.Use the findings to justify the selection or development of a communication system that addresses multiple user needs.

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Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing communication and reducing problem behaviors in children with autism, suggesting that user-centred design interventions can yield significant, multi-faceted benefits. This research supports the development of communication tools that not only address primary functional needs but also positively influence social and behavioral development.

Source

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis

USING THE PICTURE EXCHANGE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM (PECS) WITH CHILDREN WITH AUTISM: ASSESSMENT OF PECS ACQUISITION, SPEECH, SOCIAL‐COMMUNICATIVE BEHAVIOR, AND PROBLEM BEHAVIOR

journal · 2002

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Questions About This Research

What does the research say about picture exchange communication system (pecs) enhances social communication and reduces problem behaviors in children with autism?: When designing communication aids for individuals with autism, consider how the system can be taught effectively and how its use might positively influence other social and behavioral aspects of the user's life. Evidence: Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (2002).
Why does "Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) enhances social communication and reduces problem behaviors in children with autism" matter for design?: This research highlights the potential of a user-centred communication tool to not only address a core need (communication) but also to positively impact broader behavioral outcomes. Designers developing assistive technologies or educational tools for this demographic should consider integrated approaches that address multiple facets of user experience and development.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing communication aids for individuals with autism, consider how the system can be taught effectively and how its use might positively influence other social and behavioral aspects of the user's life.
What were the main findings?: All participants successfully acquired PECS skills.. Acquisition of PECS was associated with an increase in verbal speech.. Improvements in social-communicative behaviors were observed.. Problem behaviors decreased concurrently with PECS training.
What research method was used?: Multiple baseline design with 3 participants.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2002 journal from Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing or evaluating communication tools for individuals with developmental differences, measure not only the primary function (e.g., communication) but also secondary effects on social interaction and behavior.
What are the limitations?: The study involved a small sample size, and the findings may not be generalizable to all children with autism. The specific context of the training and assessment could also influence outcomes.