Core vocabulary
Last updated
Core vocabulary is the small set of words people use most often across situations, such as want, go, stop, more, help and not.
Topic: Assistive technology and AAC
In plain terms
A few hundred core words make up most of what people say each day. They are flexible: "go" works for going outside, going fast or "go away." Fringe vocabulary is the topic-specific words, like dinosaur names or lunch items. AAC systems that include core words let students say many things with a small set of symbols.
How it shows up in an IEP
Goals can target core words across functions: "will use 3 different core words to direct an adult during play." Teaching core words in many contexts supports flexible, generalized communication.
Example
During snack, art and recess, staff model "more," "help" and "stop" on a core board. After a month, the student uses "help" independently in two settings.
Related terms
- AAC (augmentative and alternative communication)AAC is any way of communicating that supplements or replaces speech, such as signs, picture boards or speech-generating devices.
- Aided language modelingAided language modeling is when communication partners use the student's AAC system themselves while they talk, showing how to use it in real situations.
- Speech-generating deviceA speech-generating device is an aided AAC tool that produces spoken output when the user selects symbols, words or letters.
- Expressive languageExpressive language is the ability to put thoughts into words and sentences to communicate, through speech, sign, writing or AAC.
On IEP Atlas
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