8th June 2016 – PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System)

Speaker: Andy Yates, PECS Consultant, Pyramid Educational Consultants, UK

This one hour introduction provided an overview of the PECS protocol, focusing upon how to increase communication skills and reduce contextually inappropriate behaviour. It discussed the importance of embedding communication skills across the day and how to start planning for the possible transition from PECS to using a Speech Generated Device (SGD).

Andy Yates, qualified in 1996, at Plymouth University, with a degree in psychology. He worked in a variety of settings, ranging from working with adults with mental health issues, adults with severe learning difficulties and teenagers with Aspergers Syndrome, supporting a wide range of individual needs across a 24 hr curriculum, focusing largely on developing and implementing independence skills programme. In 2005, Andy specialized in working in Special Education Needs schools. Since then he has worked with children across all key stages with a wide array of complex needs, including, PMLD, MLD, Emotional Behavioural Difficulties, and ASD. During his time working at a setting for pupils with EBD Andy became very experienced with managing challenging behaviour and has a particular interest in developing individual and classroom management techniques. Andy has undertaken further training in the implementation of Team Teach, SCIPP, and TCI crisis management techniques. Whilst working within Autism specific schools, Andy has used PECS as an integral part of teaching functional communication skills.

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