About
PECSTalk™ is a powerful AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) app built by Pyramid Educational Consultants, the creators of the widely recognized Picture Exchange Communication System® (PECS®). Designed for individuals with complex communication needs — particularly those on the autism spectrum — PECSTalk™ enables non-speaking learners to make requests, respond to questions, comment, and ask questions by converting pictures and text into spoken language. The app's digital display mirrors the familiar layout of a traditional PECS Communication Book while supporting the robust vocabulary of a Speech Generating Device (SGD), bridging the gap between low-tech and high-tech AAC solutions. It is available on Android tablets, Apple iPads, and mobile phones, ensuring broad accessibility. Key features include support for 15 languages (including English, Spanish, Arabic, French, Japanese, and more), access to the full Pics for PECS® image library, custom user-defined image creation, bilingual book building, cross-device sharing, and local or cloud backup. Books can contain up to 2,500+ images, accommodating learners at any communication level. PECSTalk Lite™ offers a 7-day free trial with limited functionality for both Android and iOS, allowing families, educators, and therapists to evaluate the app before purchase. PECSTalk™ is ideal for special education teachers, speech-language pathologists, caregivers, and anyone supporting non-speaking individuals who need a reliable, customizable, and evidence-based communication tool.
Key Features
- Picture-to-Speech Conversion: Converts pictures and text into spoken language, enabling non-speaking individuals to communicate effectively in any setting — school, home, vocational, or community.
- 15-Language Support: Available in 15 languages including English, Spanish, French, Arabic, Japanese, and more, with bilingual book creation for multilingual learners.
- Full Pics for PECS® Image Library: Includes access to the complete Pics for PECS® image library plus the ability to create custom user-defined images and build books with up to 2,500+ images.
- Cross-Device Sharing & Cloud Backup: Share communication books across multiple platforms and devices, with options for local or cloud backup to keep data safe and synced.
- 7-Day Free Trial (PECSTalk Lite™): Try the app risk-free for 7 days with PECSTalk Lite™, available on Android tablets and Apple iPads, allowing evaluation before purchase.
Use Cases
- Helping non-speaking children with autism make requests and respond to questions at school using picture-based digital communication books.
- Supporting adults with complex communication needs in vocational and community environments by providing a portable, speech-generating AAC tool.
- Enabling bilingual families to build dual-language communication books, supporting learners who communicate across two languages at home and school.
- Allowing speech-language pathologists and special education teachers to create, customize, and share AAC books across devices for their students.
- Facilitating the transition from physical PECS® low-tech communication books to a high-tech digital AAC solution for advancing learners.
Pros
- Evidence-Based Foundation: Developed by the creators of the scientifically validated PECS® system, ensuring the app is grounded in proven, widely adopted AAC methodology.
- Multi-Language & Bilingual Support: Supports 15 languages and bilingual book creation, making it inclusive for diverse linguistic backgrounds and multilingual families.
- Cross-Platform Availability: Works on both iOS (iPad) and Android tablets and phones, giving users flexibility regardless of their preferred device ecosystem.
- Highly Customizable Vocabulary: Supports custom images, scrollable pages, and large vocabulary sets of 2,500+ images, scaling with the learner's communication development.
Cons
- Requires Purchase After Trial: The full version must be purchased after the 7-day free trial, which may be a financial barrier for some families or caregivers.
- Mobile and Tablet Only: Currently limited to iOS and Android devices — no web-based or desktop version is available, restricting use to supported mobile hardware.
- Setup Learning Curve: Configuring and customizing communication books may require time and AAC training, particularly for new users unfamiliar with the PECS® system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PECSTalk™?
PECSTalk™ is an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) app that converts pictures and text into spoken language. It is designed for individuals with complex communication needs, including those on the autism spectrum, helping them communicate in school, home, vocational, and community settings.
Who developed PECSTalk™?
PECSTalk™ was developed by Pyramid Educational Consultants, the creators of the widely used and evidence-based Picture Exchange Communication System® (PECS®).
Is there a free version of PECSTalk™?
Yes. PECSTalk Lite™ is a free 7-day trial version with limited functionality, available for Android tablets and Apple iPads. After the trial period, the full app must be purchased from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
What languages does PECSTalk™ support?
PECSTalk™ supports 15 languages: English, Arabic, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Korean, Russian, and Spanish.
What devices is PECSTalk™ compatible with?
PECSTalk™ is available on Android tablets, Apple iPads, and mobile phones running both iOS and Android, making it accessible on a wide range of modern devices.
