Re: Problems with Sign Language

[Guest guest]

Although your speech consultant has a point that typically language delayed and

normally developing children learn receptively (understanding of words) prior to

using them expressively, this isn't always the case in the PDD population. In

children with PDD who are able to undergo assessment, it is often found that

they will use words first before fully understanding them (expressive language

skills are relatively higher than receptive language skills). Therefore,

waiting for the receptive to develop before the expressive is not always a good

idea and may lead to frustration behaviours, etc. Second, you are not using

PECS if the adults are using it in a demonstrative way. You may be using

visuals to help develop awareness and understanding of certain verbal commands

or words but this is not PECS nor is it a prerequisite skill to begin PECS.

PECS is based on ABA principles and is a program to develop a communication

system for the child. There must be a very high reinforcement present and the

child is taught to exchange the graphic to obtain the reinforcement. Through

this strict pairing the child learns to request (mand) for highly preferred

items initially before expanding the program to include a number of other

cognitive and language goals. Through PECS the child learns a number of other

skills...joint attention, social approach, vocabulary, discrimination of objects

and graphics, etc. There has been research to demonstrate the efficacy of PECS

in teaching a communication system, in facilitating speech development, and the

use of PECS vs sign language for manding. You may want to visit www.pecs.com to

get further information.

In our programs we have used PECS very successfully within an ABA/VB program and

a great number of children have themselves moved from using PECS to a totally

verbal communication system. However, a number of our children continue to use

PECS in order to assist them in expanding their language skills with the visual

supports.

Best of luck in setting up your program.

--Tracie