Designing comics based on Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) for students with autism

This article presents the design of comics based on the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), to support communication development in autistic children. The article also critically reflects on the innovation from theoretical and ethical standpoints, providing insights to inform future evaluation. This article aims to present the rationale, design principles, and design process of PECS-based comics. The design is intended for use in Phases 4 to 6 of PECS, aligning with the unique characteristics of each stage. The article outlines how comic elements were adapted to align with communication goals and learning characteristics of autistic children. In Phase 4, the comic serves as an apperception activity, preparing students to construct simple sentences. In Phase 5, the format remains similar; however, the complexity increases with more varied images and slightly more advanced questions. By Phase 6, the comic becomes more integrated into PECS, incorporating prompts to encourage spontaneous verbal responses. This article also discusses several key issues, particularly those related to theoretical assumptions and ethical considerations, and outlines a proposed plan for future implementation.