PECS and speech-generating devices produced larger effects than other picture-based AAC systems, which nonetheless showed small effects¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · quant-synthesis r? · q3
Currency · newest study 2012 · checked against its sources 2026-10-20 (automated, 1 of 1 entry) · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

Reading the evidence codes

q is the design tier, i the impact, n the sample, and the kind with its r the rigour judged within that kind: what each code means.

This claim: no standardized effect is recorded in observations/ for it yet, so no benchmark reading is possible.

q3 i? Effects of the Picture Exchange Communication System and speech-generating devices were larger than those for other picture-based systems. → Ganz 2012 q3 i? Other picture-based systems did have small effects. → Ganz 2012

Evidence¶

Ganz 2012¶

Ganz, J. B., Earles-Vollrath, T. L., Heath, A. K., Parker, R. I., Rispoli, M. J., & Duran, J. B. (2012). A Meta-Analysis of Single Case Research Studies on Aided Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems with Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 42, 60–74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-011-1212-2

q3 · i? · quant-synthesis · r?

The meta-analysis compared three types of AAC interventions across the included single-case studies. It reports that "Effects of the Picture Exchange Communication System and speech-generating devices were larger than those for other picture-based systems," while picture-based systems "did have small effects." No numeric effect sizes by type are printed in the available text.

"Effects of the Picture Exchange Communication System and speech-generating devices were larger than those for other picture-based systems, though picture-based systems did have small effects."

Discussion¶

Learner Variables¶

Autism Spectrum Disorder — population: instruction studied with autistic learners, not a comparison with non-autistic learners

AAC interventions showed positive effects on all targeted behavioral outcomes, with greater effects for communication skills than other skill categories — related
Aided AAC interventions had large effects on targeted behavioral outcomes in individuals with ASD, per a meta-analysis of 24 single-case studies — a broader claim this one bears on
Review evidence shows no consistent differences between picture exchange and speech-generating devices for communication and request outcomes — reports the opposite
Heterogeneity across reviewed single-subject studies limits broad AAC comparisons, warranting more focused syntheses — related
Aided AAC systems show advantages over manual signs for acquiring requests, and motor imitation and matching skills predict manual sign acquisition — related
Individuals with developmental disabilities tend to prefer speech-generating devices over picture exchange and manual signs, with substantial individual differences — related
Parent Implemented Intervention Improves Outcomes — related

Page metadata

Field	Value
`type`	`claim`
`id`	`pecs-sgd-larger-than-other-picture-based-systems`
`title`	`PECS and speech-generating devices produced larger effects than other picture-based AAC systems, which nonetheless showed small effects`
`description`	`PECS and speech-generating devices produced larger effects than other picture-based AAC systems, which nonetheless showed small effects`
`status`	`review`
`evidence_strength`	`moderate`
`newest_evidence`	`2012`
`source_checked`	`2026-10-20`
`generated`	by `process:wiki-ingest` on `2026-10-14`
`trust`	unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content
`sources`	1 — `ganz-2012`

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