Speak With Pictures

Welcome to Speak With Pictures!

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I am a high school senior and the sister of a brother with severe autism.

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Growing up with him, I often felt the challenge of not being able to understand his needs or feelings, and he struggled to express himself in return.
When he was younger, he went through ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapy, and I often saw him using PECS cards during his sessions.

Watching how these picture cards helped him communicate—yet also realizing their limitations—made me think deeply about how communication tools could be simpler and more intuitive.

This experience inspired me to search for a better way to connect.

Using my passion for art and my skills in computer graphic tools, I began designing a simpler and more intuitive version of PECS.

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Many existing PECS applications can feel overwhelming—with too many icons, complicated instructions, high costs, and even unnecessary login requirements that force users to enter personal information.

My project, however, focuses on what truly matters: accessibility and clarity.

I carefully selected essential words and created picture cards that are straightforward, visually clear, and less distracting—especially for children with severe autism or intellectual disabilities.

PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) is a form of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)—a broad term that includes all methods used to support or replace spoken language.

AAC systems help individuals who have difficulty communicating verbally express their thoughts, needs, and emotions through pictures, symbols, or technology-based tools.
PECS, specifically, uses picture cards to allow users to exchange images to communicate what they want or need.

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Through Speak With Pictures, I hope to provide not only a practical AAC tool for communication, but also a platform that celebrates creativity, empathy, and family connections.

Currently, the same PECS cards can be used across physical cards, iPhones, and iPads, making the system easily accessible for families with children on the autism spectrum.

In the future, I plan to expand support to Android phones and tablets, and further develop the app beyond its current prototype to create multiple versions that meet different needs.

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This project is both deeply personal and a step toward making communication more inclusive and human.