My name is Andreas Paris and I am a doctoral researcher at the Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal and Research (CEDAR) at the University of Warwick. As part of my research I am conducting a qualitative study focusing on the implementation of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) with individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disability (IDD) and/or Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in different settings in the UK.

If you are trained in PECS and have been implementing the intervention with individuals with IDD and/or ASD for more than 12 months, then I would be glad to hear from you. This research has been approved by the University of Warwick Ethics Committee.

As you know, PECS is an evidence-based intervention that is widely used in intervention programs for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders and/or Intellectual Disabilities (IDD) when speech development is delayed or does not develop. PECS has been shown to be an effective intervention of training functional communication for these individuals. Despite this, it seems that there are different factors affecting its implementation in settings like yours. Thus, understanding how PECS has been implemented in different can be extremely helpful in extending our knowledge of PECS and the potential obstacles to its delivery and how we can improve its implementation support for individuals with ID and/or Autism.

We are also interested in hearing your experiences and perspectives about PECS being implemented with individuals with IDD and/or ASD. This research will help extend our understanding of the implementation of the PECS protocol and the necessary interventions required to improve its delivery. This information may be used to suggest possible ways that different settings can achieve successful implementation of PECS to support their service users.

It would be great if you could participate in this research. The study will include an interview, lasting between 45 and 60 minutes, including questions about your experience with PECS implementation.

If you would like to participate in the research project please follow the link 'Participant Information Leaflet'. Here you can find information about the general aims of the study. If you would like to participate in the study please follow the link ’How to take part’.

If you have any questions about this research project or any comments you would like to share, please feel free to contact me by e-mail (A.Paris.1@warwick.ac.uk).

Thank you in advance for your consideration to participate in this research project.

 

Best wishes,

Andreas Paris (PhD Researcher, CEDAR, University of Warwick)