PECS Certification
Developed by Lori Frost, M.S., CCC/SLP and Beth Sulzer-Azaroff, Ph.D.
Over the past several years, we have traveled the globe conducting The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) workshops. We have received calls from many people asking if we can recommend someone in their area who can implement PECS in order to watch examples of high quality implementation. Although we maintain a database of our training participants, we have had no means of tracking their ability to implement PECS. As a result of these frequent queries, we have implemented a two-tiered PECS certification process.
1. Pyramid Certified PECS Implementer:
Pyramid Certified PECS Implementers have actively demonstrated to Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc. their ability to implement all Phases of PECS according to the PECS protocol. If necessary for the certificate holder, Pyramid Consultants can verify that these individuals can properly implement the Phases of PECS.
People seeking this certification must provide proof of attendance at a Basic PECS Workshop conducted by Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc. This workshop must have been attended within two years of the application date. Each candidate must, either live or via videotape, demonstrate the following performance skills according to specific guidelines:
- Competency in implementing PECS at each of the six Phases
- Competency in error correction within PECS
- Competency in implementing PECS during functional activities within classroom, home, or community environments.
In addition, each candidate must demonstrate:
- Competency in writing PECS lessons
- Competency in data collection within Phases of PECS
- Competency in writing summaries of PECS implementation
After satisfying the above requirements, each candidate must:
Upon successful completion of all requirements, PECS Implementers will receive:
- PECS Implementer Certificate-renewable every three years
- Recognition as a Certified PECS Implementer on Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc. web page
Pyramid Certified PECS Implementers MAY:
- Implement PECS according to the standard Phase I-VI training protocol with individuals on their caseload displaying a variety of communication difficulties.
- Coach and monitor immediate team members (teachers, classroom assistants, O.T.s, parents, etc.) in implementing PECS with their students/children. This must be on a 1:1 interactive basis only and is best done one Phase at a time as the students progress through the Phases of The PECS protocol. This is not a substitute for a Basic PECS Training.
- Work with team members to write PECS lessons.
- Demonstrate implementation to immediate classroom team and families.
- Create PECS activities for implementation across a variety of settings/activities.
- Create and adapt materials for use within PECS.
- Apply for acceptance into the PECS Supervisor Certification Program.
Pyramid Certified PECS Implementers MAY NOT:
- Conduct PECS training workshops, classes or seminars.
- Use the title “Certified PECS Implementer”, “PECS Consultant”, “PECS Expert” or anything similar to acquire additional clients, paying or otherwise, outside of their work agency, school, etc.
Please note: This level of PECS Certification requires only attendance at the PECS Basic Training Workshop. No additional workshop attendance is required for this certification. It is a self-paced program although applicants must complete all requirements within one year of application date. Exceptions will be made on an individual basis.
2. Pyramid Certified PECS Supervisor:
Pyramid Certified PECS Supervisors are qualified to supervise staff at their job sites who are using PECS. PECS Supervisors also have the option of helping in the certification process for those within their place of employment seeking PECS Implementer Certification from Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc.
These individuals have demonstrated:
- Knowledge and application of the Pyramid Approach to Education as the foundation for implementing PECS
- Correct implementation of all Phases of PECS
- Positive and constructive critique of PECS implementation.
Although not authorized to do large PECS trainings, Pyramid Certified PECS Supervisors have our approval to conduct a PECS Overview within their place of employment as well as to supervise others within their place of employment who have attended a Basic PECS Training Workshop.
Candidates seeking Supervisory Certification must have current PECS Implementer Certification and will need to attend the PECS Supervisory Training Course (three days) conducted by Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc..
In addition to the Three-Day PECS Supervision Course candidates must:
- Pass a written exam on the Pyramid Approach to Education, Skinner’s Analysis of Verbal Behavior and PECS-specific information from the three-day training, within two weeks of the training course.
- Demonstrate competency (live or via video) in providing supervisory feedback to a person he or she has taught to implement PECS.
- Demonstrate competency at providing written feedback to PECS Implementer candidates.
- Demonstrate competency at conducting a 90-120 minute PECS Overview.
Upon successful completion of all requirements, PECS Supervisors will receive:
- PECS Supervisor Certificate- renewable every three years
- Recognition as a Certified PECS Supervisor, on Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc. web page
Pyramid Certified PECS Supervisors MAY:
- Implement all phases of PECS according to the standard Phase I-VI training protocol with individuals on their caseload displaying a variety of communication difficulties.
- Coach and monitor immediate team members (teachers, classroom assistants, O.T.s, parents, etc.) in implementing PECS with their students/children. This must be on a 1:1 interactive basis only and is best done one Phase at a time as the students progress through the Phases of The PECS protocol. This is not a substitute for a Basic PECS Training.
- Work with team members to write PECS lessons.
- Demonstrate implementation to immediate classroom team and families.
- Create PECS activities for implementation across a variety of settings/activities.
- Create and adapt materials for use within PECS.
- Supervise people implementing PECS within their work agency only.
- Supervise people seeking PECS Implementer Certification and make recommendations to Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc. regarding granting PECS Implementer Certification within their own work agency.
- Maintain supervision of current PECS Implementers whom they supervised.
- Conduct PECS Overviews up to two hours in length. Prior to the presentation, PECS Supervisors must give Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc. written notification of the date and location of each PECS Overview.
Pyramid Certified PECS Supervisors MAY NOT:
- Conduct PECS training workshops, classes or seminars.
- Use the title “Certified PECS Supervisor”, “Certified PECS Implementer”, “PECS Consultant”, “PECS Expert” or anything similar to acquire additional clients, paying or otherwise, outside of their work agency.
- Conduct PECS Overviews without Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc.’s knowledge.
Engaging in any unauthorized activities will
result in the revocation of PECS Certification status.
Click here to download the Implementers Packet (Adobe PDF file)
(Coming Soon)
For more information about the PECS Certification program please contact Donna Banzhof at certification@pecs.com.
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