The Effectiveness of Communication by Using (PECS) Methods for the Development of Social Skills with Autistic Children

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to know the effectiveness of communication by using (PECS) methods for the development of social skills with autistic children. The study sample consisted of 16 children from autistic children who were diagnosed in Taif center for rehabilitation. The study sample was divided into an experimental group consisting of (8) children and the control group consisting of (8) children. The researchers prepared a training program based on the PECS methods and the verbal communication scale. The indications of validity and reliability were extracted for both the scale and the program. The researchers used both Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests to test hypotheses. The results revealed that there are statistically significant differences at the level of 0.05 for the experimental group due to the effectiveness of the communication by using PECS methods, And there is no statistically significant differences at the level of 0.05 between the members of the experimental group on follow up measurement after two months from the end the program application. The study confirmed the importance of communication by using PECS methods in the development of social skills for autistic children and also recommended using communication by PECS methods with a sample of autistic girls and on different environments of Saudi society.