Picture Exchange Communication System Alternative Communication of Child with Intellectual Disabilities and Speech and Language Impairments

Abstract

Communication is an important factor in human life. It is a tool for carrying out various activities in order to live together with other people in society. The case study was a child with multiple disabilities who has communication problems and is unable to make others understand his needs or what he has to say. This causes unwanted behavior, i.e., when you want to urinate, you cannot tell others, which makes him urinate all over his pants every time. This article aimed to study and investigated the results of using the picture exchange communication system in the communication of children with intellectual disabilities and speech and language impairments. This was qualitative research. The research area was a disability-specific school in Chiang Mai Province. The sample group was a 15-year-old boy with intellectual disabilities and speech and language impairments, having communication problems, being unable to express your own needs, and peeing in pants when wanting to excrete. Tools used: 1) a behavior observation form based on picture exchange communication system; 2) individualized education plans. Data were collected from November to December 2021. Data were analyzed using frequencies, means, and percentages. 

It was found that the study results indicated that using the picture exchange communication system as an alternative means of communication made the case study had higher communication skills compared to before and after the research was conducted. The percentage before the research was conducted in procedure 1 was 0.00%, in procedure 2 (2A-1) was 0.00%, and in procedure 2 (2A-2) was 0.00%. After research, procedure 1 by 100%, procedure 2 (2A-1) by 100%, and procedure 2 (2A-2) by 100 %. After practicing for 10 days, the case study had stable development using the picture exchange communication system in both steps of communication. The study results indicated that the picture exchange communication system is a communication alternative that can make the case study had better communication skills. Express your need to pee using the picture exchange communication system yourself.

Research findings Choosing a picture exchange communication system that was consistent with the abilities of a case study of children with disabilities living in familiar places helps develop better communication skills, being able to communicate the need to pee.