Speech & Language

Connie Rhymes, Education Specialist Region 8 ESC

Office 903-575-2764

Email crhymes@reg8.net


Language Stealers is about students that don't have core words to use.


This tool is designed to help you determine which of the common Universal Core vocabulary formats might be a good fit for the student(s) you support. After you answer the questions, you will be directed to the format that is likely a good place to start.

AAC - Augmentative and Alternative Communication

  • CCN‐ complex communication needs
  • VOCA‐ voice output communication aids
  • VOC‐ voice output communication
  • VOD‐ voice output device
  • SGD‐ speech generating devices
  • PWUAAC‐ People who use AAC
  • AWUAAC‐ Adults who use AAC
  • SWUAAC/CWUAAC‐ Students who use AAC/Children who use AAC
  • Low, mid, and high tech
  • Core Vocabulary is the most frequently used words we speak, read, and write...
  • CV is about 80% of what we speak, read and write
  • CV is the same 300‐500 words
  • CV is mostly the same across age levels, gender, culture, etc.
  • CV is accessed in single word units
  • SO WHAT ARE THE CORE VOCABULARY WORDS?
  • Pronouns
  • Prepositions
  • Demonstratives
  • Common verbs
  • Common adjectives
  • Common adverbs
  • A few common nouns
  • http://cehs.unl.edu/aac/aac‐messaging‐and‐vocabulary

TSHA / ASHA Ceu's



  • FOR PURCHASE AAC EVALUATION TOOLS
  • Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales
  • EveryMoveCounts
  • AACProfile
  • Functional Communication Profile
  • SocialNetworksInventory
  • TestofAided‐CommunicationSymbolPerformance
  • AACEvaluationGenie
  • SomeAACdeviceshavecognitive,linguisticandaccess assessment tools built into the software

 Barkley Center for AAC https://cehs.unl.edu/aac/aac‐messaging‐and vocabulary/

 Practically AAC http://praacticalaac.org/

 Normal Language Acquisition and Children using AAC Systems by Gail Van Tatenhove, PA, MS, CCC‐SLP http://www.vantatenhove.com/files/papers/Common/NLD&AAC.doc

Janice Light, Ph.D., is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Penn State University. Her primary area of expertise is augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). AAC is a relatively new field of research and clinical practice that is directed to AAC.

  • Identify contexts
  • Provide an effective means
  • Select appropriate vocabulary
  • Set up the environment
  • Use interaction strategies


AAC Apps

  • TouchChat
  • LAMP Word for Life
  • Speak for Yourself
  • Proloquo2go
  • Sonoflex
  • Alexicom
  • Predictable
  • Speak It
  • Verbally




  • Speech Tree
  • Smart AAC
  • Speak Tap
  • Talk Tablet
  • Compass PODD
  • Assistive Express
  • Claro
  • Typo