Background: This research examined the perceptions of parents and professionals in Serbia regarding the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) as an alternative communication system designed for people with autism and/or other developmental disabilities.
Purpose: The study aimed to determine differences between these two groups in terms of knowledge, experience, and attitudes, focusing on perceived benefits and obstacles to the implementation of PECS.
Research Design: The research included 93 participants (45 parents and 48 professionals) who completed an online questionnaire.
Results: The results indicate that parents more frequently attend formal training and report a higher level of confidence in using PECS compared to professionals. Parents also value the practical aspects of implementation and the availability of support more than professionals do. Both groups recognize the benefits of PECS for communication development, as well as obstacles such as a limited vocabulary, the need for additional training, and the necessity to involve others.
Conclusions: The findings highlight the need for systemic support in Serbia through organized training, supervision, and support for both parents and practitioners, in order to ensure effective and sustainable use of PECS in everyday contexts.
FrostLABondyAS. PECS training manual. Pyramid Educational Consultants, 1994.
2.
SteinbrennerJRHumeKOdomSL, et al.Evidence-based practices for children, youth, and young adults with autism. FPG Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina, 2020.
3.
ParisADenneLDGrindleCF, et al.Facilitators and barriers to the implementation of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS): a systematic review. Front Educ2024; 9: 1206410.
4.
ChungMSnodgrassMRMeadanH, et al.Understanding communication intervention for young children with autism and their parents: mixing behavioral and social validity findings. J Dev Phys Disabil2016; 28(1): 113–134.
5.
BastableKKlopperSSamuelsA, et al.How are stakeholders with autism spectrum disorder included in the social validation of augmentative and alternative communication research? A scoping review. Am J Speech Lang Pathol2021; 30(2): 817–832.
6.
McNeillJ. Social validity and teachers’ use of evidence-based practices for autism. J Autism Dev Disord2019; 49(11): 4585–4594.
7.
AbonoaADCCagapeWERubillarCL, et al.Teachers’ perceptions towards Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) strategy and the effects on the achievement of students with autism in learning communication skills. Learn Commun Skills2023; 139(1): 16.
8.
AlsayedhassanBTBandaDRGriffin-ShirleyNT. Training parents of children with autism to implement the Picture Exchange Communication intervention. Clin Arch Commun Disord2020; 5(1): 31–41.
9.
AlsayedhassanBTBandaDRLeeJ, et al.A survey of parents’ perceptions of Picture Exchange Communication System for children with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities. Clin Arch Commun Disord2019; 4(1): 1–9.
10.
AlsayedhassanBLeeJBandaDR, et al.Practitioners’ perceptions of the Picture Exchange Communication System for children with autism. Disabil Rehabil2021; 43(2): 211–216.
11.
BuobaidM. Using the Picture Exchange Communication System with children with ASD: educational professionals' experience and perspectives. Int J Learn Teach Educ Res2024; 23(11): 32–52.
12.
MayRJSalmanHO’NeillSJ, et al.Exploring the use of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) in special education settings. J Autism Dev Disord2024; 55: 1–15.
13.
MohamadMEsaPNKamarudinR, et al.Parents’ perceptions of using Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) in English for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children. Creat Educ2022; 13(11): 3602–3623.
GlumbićNStankovićMMandićV, et al.Smernice za skrining, dijagnostiku i intervencije za decu i odrasle sa poremećajem iz spektra autizma. Institut za mentalno zdravlje, 2023.
17.
BerenguerCMartínezERDe StasioS, et al.Parents’ perceptions and experiences with their children’s use of augmentative/alternative communication: a systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis. Int J Environ Res Public Health2022; 19(13): 8091.
