@A MyAutismTeam Member that is close to P.E.C.S but not actually official protocol for Picture Exchange Communication System...implementing incorrectly can lead to less than optimal (though might still be helpful) outcomes. I highly recommend every parent/teacher/caregiver of anyone with autism at least read the Picture Exchange Communication System Manual and attend a training. fully proper implementation of P.E.C.S is incredibly powerful.

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A MyAutis...

We made a Velcro choice board (cardboard laminated with packing tape) that said "I want" followed by a blank spot with Velcro. We started with two choices, one that we knew he wanted (cracker) and one that he most likely wouldn't (broccoli) want. I held up both without naming either. He would choose by grabbing the one he wanted. Then I put his choice on the "I want" board, show it to him and prompt him to say "I want cracker". If the words are complicated, couple them with a picture. My son could also read but the visual really helped as well. I also worked with a boy who learned from this technique and eventually put his selection on the board himself and said what he wanted. This is the "PECS" system. If you're not familiar with it, check out this website http://www.speechbuddy.com/blog/speech-therapy-... Be persistent, it may take a while.

Before mine became verbal he learned sign for basic needs. Sure helped alot. We use sign with verbal and pictures and also do PECS. Now that he's 4 he is verbal but needs prompting and will use sign to communicate what he has a hard time putting into words.

Stop prompting him and just wait..and wait...and wait...his brain needs to figure out the pathways. As long as he is able to physically put the words together (after a model he has said what is required).
P.E.C.S might be helpful too. It really helps kids learn how to communicate and gives them cues to get their thoughts together. He may only need it for a couple of months before his pathways are solid enough for verbal only.

Try to give the first syllable of the word and see if he will fill in the rest. The first few times, you may have to give him the whole sentence: "I want apple juice". Then, try holding the apple juice just out of reach, and say "I want ap......." And see if he can repeat it including the missing word.

Obviously, you want to give him the apple juice either way, but try to do it in such a way that he gets it more quickly if he uses words.

Good ABA therapists have a lot of tricks that they can use to get past this kind of roadblock, so you may want to talk to an ABA specialist some time to see if they have any other suggestions.

Before he has a chance to repeat the question, move his hand to the answer and say it with him. Then reward him. This is a common problem that a good speech therapist or behavorist can help you with.

thanks! Will try this tonight.