PECS Therapy at BubbleBee Children Speech Therapy

Welcome to BubbleBee Children Speech Therapy, a paediatric speech therapy centre offering PECS therapy for children with communication challenges.

PECS therapy supports children who have limited or no functional speech by teaching them how to communicate using pictures. At BubbleBee, PECS is delivered as part of a broader communication and language therapy approach that considers regulation, engagement, and the child’s overall development.

We work closely with families to help children develop meaningful ways to communicate their needs, preferences, and ideas in everyday situations.

What PECS Therapy Is and How It Supports Communication

PECS stands for Picture Exchange Communication System. It is a structured form of alternative communication designed to teach functional communication to children who have difficulty using spoken language.

PECS is:

An augmentative and alternative communication system
Designed to teach children to initiate communication
Focused on practical, everyday communication needs

PECS allows children to communicate using pictures rather than relying on speech alone. This can be especially helpful for children with autism and related developmental disabilities who struggle to express themselves verbally.

PECS Therapy for Children With Autism and Communication Needs

Many families seek PECS therapy when their child has:

No communication abilities or very limited speech
Difficulty expressing needs or making requests
High frustration related to communication breakdowns
Challenges engaging with others meaningfully

PECS helps non-verbal children improve communication skills by giving them a clear, reliable way to express themselves. Importantly, PECS does not prevent speech development. For many children, it supports communication while spoken language is developing.

How PECS Therapy Works in Practice

PECS is a fast, self-initiating, functional communication system that teaches children to communicate by exchanging pictures with a communication partner.

The PECS system:

Was developed to support functional communication
Teaches children to initiate interaction rather than wait
Builds communication skills in a structured progression

Children learn that communication leads to meaningful outcomes, such as getting a preferred item, activity, or response from another person.

The PECS Communication Stages

PECS therapy follows a structured sequence of 6 stages, each building on the previous one.

These stages focus on:

Exchanging a picture for a desired item
Increasing independence and persistence
Expanding picture choices
Building simple sentence structures

Progression through the PECS system is guided by the child’s readiness and consistency, not by age alone.

Functional Communication as the Core Goal of PECS Therapy

A key strength of PECS therapy is its focus on functional communication. Rather than teaching isolated skills, PECS aims to help children communicate for real purposes.

Functional communication includes:

Requesting preferred items or activities
Making choices
Gaining attention appropriately
Reducing behaviours linked to frustration

By teaching children effective communication strategies, PECS can positively impact behaviour, engagement, and social interaction.

Assessment Before Starting PECS Therapy

Before recommending PECS therapy, we conduct a comprehensive assessment to understand the child’s communication profile.

Assessment considers:

Current communication methods
Understanding of symbols and pictures
Attention and engagement levels
Sensory and regulation needs
Family routines and priorities

This ensures PECS is introduced thoughtfully and integrated appropriately into the child’s overall therapy plan.

Is PECS the Right Communication System for My Child?

PECS is not suitable for every child. Our clinicians consider:

Whether the child benefits from visual communication
Whether PECS will support functional outcomes
How PECS fits alongside language therapy goals

The decision to use PECS is based on individual assessment, not diagnosis alone.

PECS Therapy Within a Broader Language Therapy Framework

At BubbleBee, PECS therapy is not delivered in isolation. It is part of a broader language therapy approach that supports overall communication development.

This integrated approach may include:

Supporting understanding of language
Encouraging interaction and turn-taking
Developing joint attention and engagement
Gradually supporting spoken language when appropriate

PECS can be used alongside other strategies, depending on the child’s needs.

PECS and Other Communication Approaches

PECS may be used alongside approaches such as:

Argumentative communication systems
Visual schedules and supports
Colourful semantics when language emerges

The goal is always to choose tools that help the child communicate more effectively, not to rely on a single method.

The Role of Parents and Communication Partners

Parent and caregiver involvement is essential in PECS therapy. Children need consistent opportunities to use PECS across environments.

Parents and professionals are guided to:

Respond consistently to picture exchanges
Create communication opportunities throughout the day
Use PECS naturally during routines such as meals and play

This consistency helps children generalise communication skills beyond therapy sessions.

PECS-Trained Therapists and Clinical Expertise

PECS therapy should be delivered by clinicians trained in the PECS system. At BubbleBee, therapy is overseen by Ms. Agnieszka Debowska, Senior Speech-Language Therapist.

Clinical oversight ensures:

Accurate implementation of the PECS system
Appropriate progression through stages
Integration with broader communication goals
Ongoing monitoring of progress

This ensures PECS therapy remains effective, ethical, and child-centred.

What PECS Therapy Sessions Look Like

PECS therapy sessions are structured, supportive, and responsive to the child’s needs.

Sessions may include:

Sessions are adjusted based on the child’s progress and comfort level.

Frequently Asked Questions About PECS Therapy

What is PECS therapy used for?

PECS therapy supports children who have difficulty using speech to communicate. It teaches functional communication using pictures, helping children express needs and make choices.

Does PECS therapy stop children from learning to talk?

No. PECS does not prevent speech development. For many children, it supports communication while spoken language is emerging.

Is PECS only for children with autism?

PECS is commonly used with autistic children, but it can also support children with other developmental communication difficulties.

How long does PECS therapy take?

The duration varies depending on the child’s needs and progress. Some children move quickly through stages, while others require longer support.

Do parents need training to use PECS?

Yes. Parents and caregivers are guided on how to use PECS consistently so communication skills transfer to daily life.

Start PECS Therapy With Confidence

If you are exploring PECS therapy for your child, BubbleBee Children Speech Therapy Singapore offers clear assessment, structured guidance, and compassionate support.

We work closely with families to help children develop meaningful, functional communication skills that support everyday life.

Contact us to learn more or to schedule an assessment.

5.0 8 reviews

Gregory Zdaniuk ★★★★★ 5 months ago
Mrs Agnieszka is a very professional speech therapist. She has worked with our child for several years with clear results. Her holistic approach to speech is very effective. Where others only focused on … More sounds, Mrs Agnieszka looked deeper and focused on the mental component of speech with tailored (and fun) exercises aimed at root causes. I wholeheartedly recommend her practice.
Carmen Tang ★★★★★ a year ago
I’m so grateful that we chose Agnes as my son’s speech therapist. My son has ASD and non-verbal. Before we started speech therapy, he was lack of playing skills, eye contact, joint attention and many … More other problems. Agnes mentioned that all of these fundamental skills are crucial in order to build meaningful speech. After years of consistent training, my son now has shown a significant improvement in engagement, play skills and self- regulation. With all of these in place, my son can now say and copy words that are spoken to him. My son really enjoyed playing and learning at Agnes’s therapy. Agnes is very professional, skillful, kind and patient. The techniques and tips that she has given me were all practical and valuable in order to incorporate the same methods at home. Overall, I highly recommend Agnes’s speech therapy. She did an amazing job helping my son to build his speech.
leng huang ★★★★★ a year ago
We are grateful to have found Agnes! She has been an invaluable partner on our journey to support our son’s communication development.
Agnes is a very experience speech therapist and especially good with … More young children. Her floor time , play—based / child - led approach is holistic and made sessions fun and engaging for our son. What impressed us most is her ability to connect with our son, making him feel comfortable and confident , which in turn helped him open - up / express himself. Through these sessions, she is able to provide valuable insights to us parents on how best to support and enhance our son’s communication skills.
Liang Liu ★★★★★ a year ago
My son has been seeing Agnes since 2 years old. I still recall the day that he spoke out load and clear for the 1st in his life in Agnes's therapy. Agnes therapy really helped him expand his interest … More and improved his ideation, which helped him to express himself much better and build up his confidence. Along the way I also get to know the reason behind certain behavior of my son and am now able to guide him better at home. Really appreciate it!
Cuppa Tea ★★★★★ a year ago
Agnes is a very experienced speech therapist.
(1) She has been able to help us understand more about our daughter's condition, and how through play can help her improve her communication.
(2) She … More has been teaching us parents how to communicate with our daughter. An important factor in communication is not to assume for the child or order the child to do this/that. This has been a mistake for many parents or even therapists. It is important to listen to the child who would communicate via non verbal cues or verbally. Let the child lead from there.
(3) She has the ability to understand children and their intentions. This is crucial in building confidence in our daughter since she has little confidence. Once she knows that we are there to try to understand her, she will be more willing to continue to communicate with us.
It has not been easy for us to find a suitable therapist who could engage our daughter as we have been through a few therapists.
To all the parents reading this: May you be able to find one who can help you and your child.
Chia Ming Lim ★★★★★ a year ago
Agnes is a seasoned and dedicated speech therapist who is able to empower parents like us to guide in speech development and see significant breakthroughs in our child's communication skills.