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Our Services

PECS® Therapy

What is the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS®)?

Developed in 1984 by Lori Frost and Dr. Andrew Bondy, PECS® is a unique augmentative and alternative communication system that allows individuals with little or no verbal ability to communicate using pictures.1

At Esperanza, we use PECS® to teach your child that communication is an active, social exchange. We believe that every child in the UAE deserves to be heard. Instead of your child waiting for you to guess what they need, PECS® empowers them to initiate the conversation. They learn to approach you, a sibling, or a teacher, and hand over a picture to express exactly what is on their mind.

At Esperanza, we focus on your child’s unique communication potential rather than just a medical label. Many parents in Dubai reach out to us when they notice their child is struggling to share their needs, often leading to “communication frustration.” These are those difficult moments where a child clearly knows what they want, perhaps a favourite snack or a toy they saw at a Dubai mall but cannot find the spoken words to tell you.

Who Does PECS Therapy Support?

At Esperanza, we focus on your child’s unique communication potential rather than just a medical label. Many parents in Dubai reach out to us for speech therapy when they notice their child is struggling to share their needs, often leading to “communication frustration.” This happens when a child clearly knows what they want perhaps a favourite snack or a toy they saw at a Dubai mall but cannot find the spoken words to tell you.

As a leading provider of speech therapy in Dubai, we use the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) as a powerful, evidence-based tool for children across the UAE with various communication profiles.

Supporting Diverse Communication Needs
  • Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): PECS is globally recognised as a “gold-standard” intervention for autism in Dubai. Extensive clinical research shows it helps children on the spectrum understand the “social” side of talking.
  • Minimally Verbal or Non-Verbal Children: If your child is not yet using functional words, PECS provides an immediate “voice.” It allows them to express themselves while our speech therapist in Dubai continues to work on developing vocal speech.
  • Late Talkers & Speech Delays: For families concerned about speech milestones, PECS acts as a vital safety net. By giving your child a successful way to communicate now, it reduces the pressure that can slow down natural development.
  • Occupational Therapy Integration: Many children using PECS also benefit from occupational therapy to support their fine motor skills and sensory needs. At Esperanza, we look at the whole child to ensure their communication system works for their specific physical abilities.
  • Childhood Apraxia & GDD: If your child has a global developmental delay or apraxia, PECS serves as a bridge, ensuring they don’t lose the desire to connect while their physical motor skills are growing.
  • Multilingual Expat Households: Because PECS uses universal visual symbols, it helps bridge the gap between different languages spoken at home, at nursery, or with a nanny in our multicultural city.

How the PECS® Program Works

Our program is structured into six progressive phases, moving from simple exchanges to complex sentences. We use high-motivation items like a favorite toy from a shop in Karama or a specific snack to keep the learning process fun.

  • Phase I: The Physical Exchange: The child learns to pick up a single picture and give it to a therapist to get what they want.
  • Phase II: Distance and Persistence: We teach the child to travel to their communication book and find a listener, generalizing the skill across different settings.
  • Phase III: Picture Discrimination: Using a ring binder with Velcro strips, the child learns to choose between two or more pictures to find their favorite thing.
  • Phase IV: Sentence Structure: The child builds “sentences” on a detachable strip using an “I want” icon followed by the item picture.
  • Phase V: Answering Questions: Your child learns to answer the specific question, “What do you want?”
  • Phase VI: Commenting: The final stage focuses on social sharing, where the child answers questions like “What do you see?” or “What do you hear?” using phrases like “I see a…” or “It is a…”

Expected Outcomes

By working with an expert speech therapist in Dubai, parents typically observe the following positive changes:

  • Significant Reduction in Meltdowns: Most “behavioural issues” in non-verbal children stem from the inability to express a basic need. By providing a fast, functional way to request items, parents often see a decrease in thirst-, hunger-, or frustration-related tantrums.
  • Increased Verbalisations and Speech: Contrary to common concerns, clinical research shows that PECS® often acts as a bridge to spoken language. Many children begin to spontaneously pair the picture exchange with vocal sounds and eventually full words as their confidence grows.
  • Enhanced Independence: Your child gains the empowering ability to communicate a specific thought, request, or feeling without needing a parent or caregiver to “guess.” This independence is a vital part of early intervention and helps them thrive in Dubai nurseries and schools.
  • Improved Social Engagement: Because PECS® is based on a physical exchange, it encourages your child to seek out a therapist, parent, or peer to start a conversation, building the foundational social skills needed for life in the UAE.
  • Better Integration with Other Therapies: The communication skills learned here often boost the success of other services, such as occupational therapy, as your child can now express their sensory needs or preferences during sessions.

 

Take the First Step

Help your child find the power of their voice. Join the Esperanza family and see how picture communication can change your daily life.

Book your Free 60-Minute “First Steps” Consultation in Karama today.

  • WhatsApp us: +971 55 524 1094
  • Location: Zomorrodah Building, Karama (Near Dubai Central Laboratory)
  • Parking: Ample RTA Parking available (Zones A & C)

Frequently Asked Questions

Waiting can lead to frustration and behavioral challenges. PECS® provides an immediate “functional voice.” Research shows that instead of hindering speech, PECS® often acts as a catalyst, encouraging children to use their voices as they experience the success of being understood.

While high-tech AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) is great, PECS® is often the preferred starting point at our Karama center because it teaches the social exchange physically handing a request to another person. It’s low-tech, never runs out of battery, and builds the foundational “intentionality” needed before moving to digital devices.

Early intervention is key. We typically start PECS® with children as young as 2 years old, but it is effective for older children and even adults who have not yet mastered functional communication.

For the best outcomes, we generally recommend 2 to 3 sessions per week. Consistency is vital for “generalization” ensuring your child can use their communication book not just at our clinic near Dubai Central Lab, but also at home and in school.

Many parents see “Phase I” success (the basic exchange) within the first few weeks. However, moving through all six phases to reach full sentence structure and commenting is a journey that varies by child. We provide monthly progress reports so you can see measurable growth.

Absolutely. Most “behavioral issues” in non-verbal children stem from the inability to express a need. By giving your child a way to say “I want water” or “I need a break,” the need for tantrums often diminishes significantly.

We work with most major insurance providers in the UAE (such as Bupa, Sukoon, and Cigna) on a “Pay and Claim” basis. Our administrative team provides all the necessary DHA-stamped medical reports and invoices to help you navigate the reimbursement process smoothly.

We are located in Zabeel Road, Bur Dubai, very close to Karama Post Office, making us easily accessible for families in Al Safa, Umm Suqeim, and Downtown Dubai. We offer convenient RTA and paid building parking right at our doorstep, so you don’t have to worry about the “Dubai parking struggle” before your appointment.

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 In your free 60-minute consultation, you’ll meet a licensed therapist who will listen, observe, and create a personalised growth plan — giving you clarity and hope for the journey ahead.

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