JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - A new playground tool benefits children who struggle with speaking.
In collaboration with the city of Jonesboro, the local nonprofit organization Ag for Autism unveiled a PECS board at Miracle League Park on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
The board features a variety of commands, numbers, and letters. Non-verbal communicators can signal their needs by pointing at a certain picture on the board to notify their guardians that they need water, a bathroom break, or a push on the swing.
Board Member Zach Owens said the board will be a game changer for families across the region.
“Some special needs kids suffer with communication delays and issues, so this allows them a streamline of opportunity to communicate,” he said.
Board users are encouraged to use it to make friends with other children at the park. Owens said everyone’s voice deserves to be heard, no matter the circumstance.
“If they can’t communicate normally like a typically developing child would be able to, it’s refreshing to see a kiddo that needs that outlet of communication have an opportunity to utilize a resource like that,” Owens said.
Owens hopes to add more communication boards at other city parks in the future.
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