The Picture Exchange Communication System © (PECS) is an incredible communication system that can give a voice to non-verbal individuals. Still, for many busy behavior analysts, speech therapists, and school staff it can be difficult to set up a comprehensive PECS system when there’s a limit on time and resources.
I get it. I’ve spent hours making PECS cards and PECS books by hand. I’ve worked with teachers who couldn’t buy a comprehensive system because it wasn’t in the budget. It’s rewarding to have a finished product, but it can be so tough putting a PECS book together efficiently and cost-effectively.
BUT…what if I told you there was a low-cost, affordable way to get your PECS books and supplies from Amazon? In this blog post, I’m sharing my favorite Amazon products that can put PECS books in the hands of your clients without breaking the bank (and saving you time)!
If you’re tired of struggling to bring comprehensive PECS systems to your clinics, schools, and clients, then you’re in the right place! Keep reading along to get the products you need that will solve your PECS problem!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. Please read my terms of use policy for more info.
Option #1: The All-in-One Solution
If you’re looking for a complete system that is ready to use right out of the box, this is the perfect PECS book for you! This kit includes everything you could need to get a client started on PECS right away, and the set includes:
- A binder
- 1 sentence strip
- 5 color-coded binder dividers (that are super heavy-duty!)
- 157 laminated picture cards of common objects/activities
This set is at a slightly higher price point than the products on the list, but honestly, it’s such an amazing value for what the set includes. The cards and the dividers are durable and stand the test of time. There’s no prep work to set up the PECS binder and the materials can be adapted for any learner. The only time it’ll take you to get this system going for your clients is the time it takes you to open the box!
Total Cost for This Option: $79.99
Get the All-in-One Solution by clicking here!
Option #2: The Versatile Solution
If you’re looking for a comprehensive system like the first on the list but are looking for a more affordable option, this product will be the ideal one for you. This kit includes everything you need to build a PECS book but requires a bit of assembly to put it all together. This set includes:
- 1 binder
- 5 color-coded binder dividers
- 40 Velcro strips
- 200 Velcro dots
- 162 picture cards of common objects/activities
This set is more affordable than the first product on the list but requires more time and effort to set up. The picture cards require laminating and all the Velcro dots and sentence strips need to be added to the binder by hand. The plus side is that the setup can easily be done by an intern or supervisee, but the downside is that, in my experience, it will take an intern about 4 hours to get this PECS book completely put together. I also found that the color-coded divider pages weren’t as sturdy in this option as they are in the first, but I still consider them functional and able to get the job done. The nice thing about this product is that it’s super versatile and you can set it up any way that works for your client!
Total Cost for This Option: $27.99 (without the cost of lamination for the picture cards)
Get the Versatile Solution by clicking here!
To be honest, I was hesitant to take the leap and buy these items. I knew that I could make a PECS book for a lower cost, but I was, quite frankly, short on time and patience for a DIY project. Ultimately, my desperation led me to purchasing these items and I couldn’t be happier that I did! I needed a quick, easy solution that gave my clients the communication system they desperately needed at a cost that didn’t break the bank.
But, if you’re in the market to spend as little as possible while also making a PECS book as customizable as possible, I have the products for you too!
Option #3: The DIY Option
There have been points in my career where money was tight and I wanted to make low cost, high quality PECS books with my own manpower. These are some of the affordable products I used to make comprehensive and effective PECS books for my clients!
Binder: I used this one because of its durability and low cost on Amazon! It’s the perfect size to hold all the picture cards your client needs! ($5.82)
Binder Dividers: I used these dividers and LOVED how sturdy they were ($8.99)
Velcro: I used these dots because of the affordability. This 1000-piece set (500 pairs) is so affordable! ($8.99)
Picture Cards: If you’re looking for a HUGE PECS library where you can choose exactly the cards you want to print or download, check out mypecs.com! The best part is, you have access to hundreds of PECS cards for FREE! ($0)
Total Cost for this Option: $23.80 (minus the cost of lamination for the picture cards)
To recap, here are the pros and cons for each PECS solution:
| All-in-One Solution | Versatile Solution | DIY Solution |
| Pros: Everything you need is included Materials are durable Little effort to set up Cons: More expensive than the other options | Pros: Everything you need is included Large picture card library Cost-effective Cons: Moderate effort to set up Materials aren’t as durable as the All-in-One Solution | Pros: Fully customizable to your client’s needs Most cost-effective Cons: Most effort to set up Have to buy all the items separately Have to select all needed picture cards individually |
| Total Cost: $79.99 | Total Cost: $27.99 | Total Cost: $23.80 |
I know that one of these solutions is the perfect solution for you to bring PECS to the clients you serve! No matter which you choose, you can end up with a comprehensive PECS system that looks and feels well put together!
If you’re looking for more awesome resources that I personally used to get my clinical practice in tip top shape, I go into more detail about my favorite case management products in the blog The 5 Best Products for Organization as a BCBA. If you want to access the full library of resources to support clinical case management, staff supervision, parent training, and everything in between, check out the shop here!