The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) was developed by a behavior analyst, Andy Bondy, and a Speech/Language Pathologist, Lori Frost over 30 years ago. I will review a brief history of its early development and influences and then describe unique aspects of the key Phases of the PECS protocol. The talk will address why-start-with-PECS, how does the use of PECS relate to SGD use or speech development, and describe many advances lessons using Skinner’s VB terminology. Next will be a review of many criticisms of PECS from both within the field of ABA and from other professionals. The last section will review recent research from around the world on the many positive side effects of the use of PECS.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Participants will describe at least three innovative aspects of the PECS protocol
  2. Participants will describe two recent criticisms about PECS and reasonable rejoinders to them
  3. Participants will describe two language-related and two non-language related positive side effect of PECS implementation

About the Presenter

Andy Bondy, Ph.D., has almost 50 years of experience working with children and adults with ASD and related developmental issues. For more than a dozen years he served as the Director of a statewide public-school program for students with ASD. He and his wife, Lori Frost, pioneered the development of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS). He designed the Pyramid Approach to Education as a comprehensive combination of broad-spectrum behavior analysis and functional communication strategies. He is a co-founder of Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc., an internationally based team of specialists with offices in 16 countries. Each team consists of specialists from many fields working together to promote the integration of the principles of applied behavior analysis within functional activities, including an emphasis on developing functional communication skills. He currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the BOD for the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. He was the recipient of the 2012 Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis (SABA) Award for International Dissemination of Behavior Analysis.

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Course information

  • Title: PECS and Function Communication: A short overview and history
  • Presenter: Andy Bondy Ph.D.
  • Date: Tuesday, August 4th, 2026
  • CEUs: 2 Learning
  • Time: 9:00 AM Pacific
  • Duration: 1 hour and 40 minutes
FREE!