Pyramid Italia and ASUFC launch PECS pilot to improve hospital communication

Pyramid Educational Consultants Italia and the Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale have started a pilot project in Udine to make hospital care more accessible for people with neurodevelopmental disorders and complex communication needs. The initiative uses the PECS visual communication system in radiology, with early results showing less anxiety for patients and stronger communication skills for staff. Why it matters: - Communication barriers can block access to care for patients with neurodevelopmental disorders, especially in hospital settings that rely heavily on verbal instructions. - The pilot targets a practical problem: helping patients complete procedures with less distress and giving staff a clearer way to support them. - The project treats communication access as a system-level responsibility, not an individual limitation. What happened: - Pyramid Educational Consultants Italia announced a collaboration with Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale to launch a pilot project in Friuli Venezia Giulia, centered in Udine. - The project introduces PECS® (Picture Exchange Communication System) in radiology services to support patients with neurodevelopmental disorders and complex communication needs. - Pyramid Educational Consultants Italia is the only Italian entity authorized to provide official PECS training. - The announcement was made on June 17, 2026. The details: - The PECS system uses images to help patients understand procedure steps, anticipate what will happen next, and communicate needs more effectively. - The approach creates a shared visual language between patients and healthcare workers. - The project is designed to reduce dependence on verbal language and make the hospital environment more accessible. - Simone Zorzi, psychologist, behavior analyst and director of ASUFC’s disability department, said the main issue was not the person but the lack of communication tools inside the healthcare system. - ASUFC focused the pilot on radiology procedures, where uncertainty and sensory load can make cooperation difficult. - The pilot reported reduced anxiety and distress among patients. - Patients also showed greater predictability, stronger participation in procedures and a greater sense of control. - Healthcare workers gained new communication skills and more confidence in supporting people with complex needs. - Staff also improved their ability to prevent critical situations. - Zorzi said accessible communication improves the patient experience, staff well-being and overall service effectiveness. Between the lines: - The pilot reflects a broader shift from adapting patients to adapting care environments. - Using PECS in a clinical setting shows how evidence-based communication tools can be moved from education and support settings into hospital workflows. - The results suggest that accessibility can improve both clinical cooperation and staff performance. What’s next: - After the positive pilot results, ASUFC plans to extend PECS and other visual communication strategies to additional hospital departments. - The longer-term goal is to make accessible communication a standard feature of healthcare services. - Pyramid Educational Consultants Italia says the aim is to ensure all patients can participate actively in their care pathway. The bottom line: - The pilot positions communication access as a core part of quality healthcare, not an add-on for a small subset of patients. - If expanded, the model could offer a replicable path for more inclusive hospital care.