What is one of the goals in teaching students using the PECS approach?

The PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) approach is designed primarily to help individuals with autism and other communication challenges to develop functional communication skills. One of the significant goals of using PECS is to encourage spontaneous requests. This means that students learn to independently initiate communication by exchanging pictures for items or activities they want.

By promoting spontaneous requests, students gain autonomy in their communication, empowering them to express their needs and desires without relying on prompts or assistance from others. This goal is foundational to the PECS methodology, as it enhances the individual's ability to engage with their environment and communicate effectively, which is essential for social interaction and overall development.

Other options, while they may be beneficial in various educational contexts, are not central to the objectives of the PECS framework. Enhancing physical fitness, for instance, focuses on health and physical education rather than communication skills. Teaching abstract concepts often requires a different approach that may involve more complex cognitive skills that PECS is not specifically designed to address. Improving writing skills, while valuable, is not a direct target of the PECS approach, which prioritizes visual communication and immediate needs expression over written language development.