What is the MOST important aspect of consistent response from a communication partner during PECS?

The most important aspect of consistent response from a communication partner during Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is consistently providing the requested item or activity *immediately* following a complete exchange of a picture for that item or activity, and pairing that delivery with verbal labeling of the picture and the item/activity. PECS is a structured teaching protocol designed to teach individuals with communication deficits, often those with autism spectrum disorder, to initiate communication using pictures. The core principle is to build communication skills by systematically teaching the individual to exchange a picture representing a desired item or activity (the 'picture') with a communication partner (the person responding) to *obtain* that item or activity.

'Consistent response' means the communication partner reacts the same way every time a complete exchange occurs. A 'complete exchange' involves the individual reaching, requesting, giving, and receiving – a four-step process. First, the individual *reaches* for the picture. Second, they *request* by offering the picture. Third, they *give* the picture to the communication partner. Finally, they *receive* the requested item or activity. Only after all four steps are completed should the communication partner respond.

Immediate delivery is crucial. Delaying the item or activity, even briefly, can unintentionally teach the individual to use less complete requests or to escalate their behavior to get what they want. For example, if a child requests a 'juice' picture and the communication partner says, “Okay, in a minute,” the child might learn to bang on the table to get juice sooner. Immediate delivery reinforces the effectiveness of the complete exchange.

Verbal labeling, simultaneously stating the picture’s name and the item/activity being delivered, is equally vital. This process, called 'paired language stimulation,' links the visual symbol (the picture) with its corresponding verbal label. For instance, when the child gives the 'juice' picture and receives juice, the communication partner says, “Juice! Here’s your juice.” This repeated pairing helps the individual learn the words associated with the pictures, eventually facilitating spontaneous verbal communication. Consistency in this pairing – always saying the picture name and the item name together – is key to language development within the PECS system. Without consistent, immediate responses paired with verbal labeling, the individual may not learn to associate pictures with their meanings or understand the function of communication as a way to obtain desired items and activities.