Core vocabulary research is growing in its application in AAC intervention almost daily. We know, to begin with, that there is a small number of words – core words – that make up the large part of words we use regularly to make our messages.
- For toddlers, there are only 25 words that make up more than 95% of what they say. These words are largely social regulatory; including some pronouns, verbs, and adjectives. There are very very few nouns in core words, and none in the 25 words that young children use most often.
- When you look at the possible 2-word combinations that can be made with these 25 words, the amount of communication power is tremendous.
- As SLPs and teachers working with this population of students, we can count on those 25 words being among the most important words with which to begin intervention.
- We can also count on use of high frequency words that can be arranged in multiple ways to provide students with the power of emergent communication.
Here is a free handout about core words, and a video to watch. It has examples of 2 core word communication boards to get you started.
Looking for more information about AAC? Come see me at my blog KidzLearnLanguage.
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