Jacqueline Laurita Instagram – Looking forward to this upcoming live with the developers of PECS @pecsglobal, Andy Bondy, PhD and Lori Frost, MS, CCC-SLP! The Picture Exchange Communication System® (PECS®) is an evidence-based alternative/augmentative communication (AAC) system. It has been successfully utilized around the globe by learners with autism and complex communication needs for over 35 years. The primary goal of PECS is to teach functional communication. Research has shown that some learners using PECS also develop speech. Others may transition to a speech generating device (SGD). In honor of Burn Awareness week, we will be talking about N.I.C.K. (Neurotypical/diverse Independent Communication Kit) for Fire and Burn Safety, developed by the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation (AARBF) @aarbf in partnership with Pyramid Educational Consultants, (named after and inspired by my son Nick) to bring fire and burn safety education to individuals with autism spectrum disorder, developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and communication challenges who are more vulnerable to preventable exposure to danger and are at higher risk for burn injuries. The N.I.C.K. Fire and Burn Safety program incorporates a fire and burn prevention picture set from Pyramid’s Pics for PECS images that can be used for expressive communication via the PECS protocol, receptive communication via picture direction following as well as within visual stories and life lessons to help learners understand fire and burn safety. #PictureExchangeCommunicationSystem #AAC #AARBF #BurnAwareness #BurnAwarenessWeek #FireandBurnSafety #PicsforPECS #PECS_USA