SHINY, SPARKLING, AND NEWLY REVISED
I consistently hear these questions come up during or just after a PECS Level 1 Training, “How long should I wait before attending PECS Level 2 Training?” and “What is covered in PECS Level 2 Training?”
Did you leave your PECS Level 1 Training feeling jazzed and ready to implement? Most people do! That workshop is so incredibly practical that attendees feel quite confident going back to their learning environments to implement PECS right away. As you have taught these PECS Users many skills, you may have run into some challenges along the way, or they moved through the Phases so rapidly that you were unsure of which skills could be taught next. I’d like to give you some insights that will help you determine the “right” time to Level Up to PECS Level 2 Training and give a sneak peek at what to expect.
Pyramid’s PECS Level 2 Training has recently been revised and refreshed. We’ve incorporated suggestions from participants around the globe. You will find PECS Level 2 Training to be just as practical as PECS Level 1 Training. You will walk away with skills you can utilize immediately with the PECS Users in your life.
HOW LONG SHOULD I WAIT BEFORE ATTENDING PECS LEVEL 2 TRAINING?
I’d measure this, not in time, but in terms of implementation. If you attend a PECS Level 1 Training and immediately begin implementing with several PECS Users, you will likely have some excellent practical implementation experience, questions, and will likely need “next steps” well before someone who attends training and does not implement with anyone for a stretch of time. When folks request a specific timeframe, I generally say 3-6 months, however, the best way to assess your readiness will be in the number of questions you have about proper implementation and your need for the next steps. If you are asking yourself questions like “What could I teach next?” and “How can I help this person expand their communication skills via PECS?” then the time is right to attend PECS Level 2 Training.
WHAT IS COVERED IN PECS LEVEL 2 TRAINING?
The refresh of PECS Level 2 Training includes more of what people loved the most from before. Specifically, we’ve added more videos that show active teaching, and assessment videos that provide opportunities to critique the implementation skills of others in a supportive way. Delivering feedback to others is invaluable, and I keep in mind that I am likely the “worst” observer of my own behaviour and recognize the need for feedback from others! In addition, loads of examples and teaching strategies for language expansion. Check out these knowledge nuggets:
Flex your PECS knowledge. Embedded quick quizzes enable your presenter to more precisely allocate time to different Phases and topics across these two days based on group responses.
Let’s be more specific, shall we? We have expanded descriptions and added more video descriptions and more videos within the area of attributes. Of course, using attributes will help the PECS User get precisely what they want when they request, I want + big + purple + balloon, and be more specific when they comment Look! + It’s a + tall + tower or It’s + a WestJet airplane (for the person who loves all things aircraft, this is super important!). Also, just think of the power of language they will have when they use pictures in novel ways to describe something for which they do not yet have the exact picture.
Practice, practice, practice! There are loads of opportunities for practice and small group discussions throughout Level 2 with a particular emphasis on the later 
Phases of PECS (Attributes and beyond!). During these practices, groups often discover additional questions and remember specific challenges to implementation that can then be discussed with the whole group.
Assess for success. After attending PECS Level 1 Training, many attendees guide others to implement PECS effectively. Opportunities to assess the implementation skills of others are provided throughout PECS Level 2 Training via brief video clips and most importantly, discussion.
Where do we go from here? PECS Level 2 Training offers detailed descriptions, videos, and discussion about language expansion that includes, constructing multiple picture requests and comments, asking questions, responding to a greater variety of questions, and using PECS to “fill in the blank” to name a few!
Never fear, each Phase will be reviewed, and there will be plenty of time to ask specific implementation questions/describe challenges across the entire PECS Protocol. Attendees around the world say that these practical discussions and time for problem-solving are so meaningful and perhaps one of the best parts of PECS Level 2 Training. Each training session is shaped by the questions and experiences of the group. We encourage everyone to share strategies that have worked for them in similar situations – generally, this is an opportunity to exchange knowledge and expertise.
Whew – that’s a lot! Yes, indeed, PECS Level 2 Training delivers a practical and information-packed 13 hours! You will leave with confirmation that you have been implementing many elements of PECS quite well. In addition, you will gain gems of knowledge like how to increase communication opportunities throughout the day and how to teach a skill differently so that your learners achieve even better outcomes or achieve those outcomes even more quickly. You will also leave with new teaching strategies and ideas for contexts within which to teach PECS.
LEARN MORE:
Register for PECS Level 2 Training
Check out our free materials and resources
Written by Anne Overcash, MEd
© Pyramid Educational Consultants, LLC. 2024