A child using PECS consistently initiates requests but struggles to differentiate between similar items (e.g., 'juice' vs. 'water'). What strategy is MOST crucial to address this?

The MOST crucial strategy to address a child using PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) who consistently initiates requests but struggles to differentiate between similar items like 'juice' and 'water' is systematic discrimination training. PECS is a communication system that teaches children with communication difficulties to initiate communication by exchanging pictures for desired items or activities. 'Systematic discrimination training' means intentionally and repeatedly teaching the child to distinguish between similar items by controlling the environment and providing clear, consistent cues. The core issue here is that the child has learned to request *something*, but hasn't yet developed the ability to precisely specify *what* they want. This is a common progre....