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Core Words

Core Words are the words that we say the most. They make up 80% of what we communicate. Core words include verbs, prepositions, conjunctions, adjectives, pronouns, and articles. Nouns are not frequently considered core words. 

Core Word Examples:

I, He, She, They, Stop, Go, Want, Like, Up, Down, On, Off

AAC and Core Words

If you look at the home page on your student's AAC device, you will notice that it's almost entirely made of up core words! This is done to support the user's ability to construct thoughts quickly; the majority of the words they will need are available on the main page. Take, for example, the word that. A student can use "want that", both core words, to request almost anything it is that they want; a snack, a toy, a friend, their backpack, etc. In contrast, if a student learns the word iPad instead, they can only use that word to request an iPad.

Fringe Words

The other 20% of our communication typically consists of fringe words. These are the words that are specific to people, places, and things. For example, your child's name, their teachers, parents' names, favorite TV shows, , etc. are all considered fringe words. While core words are important for emerging AAC users to learn, personally-relevant fringe words are needed too! A child may get a lot of joy out of being able to direct the action of their sibling ("stop, Jake!") or pet ("Go, Dasher!"), talk about their favorite character ("Like Spidey"; "Blue Spidey", etc.), and call for their parents or caregivers (e.g., "Mom!!!).

Core Word Resources

Blogs and Websites:

Commercial Books and Programs

Learning Modules

Podcasts

Webinars

YouTube

CVI-Specific Resources