About Autism & Communication

1. What is PECS?

 

PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) is a picture-based communication method developed to help autistic children and individuals with limited verbal ability express their needs and thoughts.

By exchanging simple picture cards, they can communicate basic requests, emotions, and ideas without relying on spoken words.

For many families like mine, PECS has been a powerful tool to bridge the gap between silence and understanding.

 

2. Autistic Communication Styles

 

How do autistic children communicate?

Autistic children have unique ways of perceiving and interacting with the world. Some are highly verbal, while others—like my brother—struggle with spoken language.

For them, visual communication can often be more natural and less overwhelming than words.

Images, symbols, and visual cues provide clarity and reduce the anxiety that comes from complex language.

Communication, for these children, is not only about words—it’s about finding the channel that feels safe and clear.

 

3. Limitations of Existing PECS Apps

 

What’s missing in the current tools?

Although many PECS apps exist, I found several challenges when trying to use them with my brother:

 

Too complex: Many apps contain hundreds of icons, which can overwhelm children with severe autism.

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Text-heavy: Some apps require reading prompts or double-clicking instructions, which my brother cannot follow.

 

Visually overstimulating: Bright, cluttered designs can be distressing for children sensitive to sensory input.

 

Expensive: Many families cannot afford the high costs of subscription-based apps.

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These limitations meant that my brother—and children like him—could not benefit fully from tools that were supposed to help them.

 

4. Why I Created Speak With Pictures

 

My motivationI wanted to create something simpler, clearer, and more accessible.

Using my skills in art and computer graphics, I designed Speak With Pictures—a project that builds upon PECS but focuses on essential words, intuitive visuals, and a calming design.

This website and app are not just tools—they are my way of sharing a personal solution born from my family’s journey.

Through Speak With Pictures, I hope to help other families and children experience the joy of connection that comes from being understood.