Augmentative and Alternative Communication-AAC

AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. It can come in the form of low tech (picture cards, communication boards, etc.) or high tech (iPads, apps, etc.). On this page, you will find information about core vs. fringe vocabulary, high-frequency core words, truths vs. myths, tips on how to expand utterances, support group resources, and a hierarchy for prompting communication.

What is core vocabulary?

Core vocabulary consists of the words we use most in our language. They make up the majority of what we say and include mostly pronouns (I, he, she, they, etc.), articles (a, an, the, etc.), and prepositions (on, in, up, under, etc.). See the resource below for a list of high-frequency core vocabulary words.

What is fringe vocabulary?

Fringe vocabulary consists of the words we use in relatively specific instances and includes mostly nouns (person, place, or thing). Consider the statement, "I need a pencil." "Pencil" is considered fringe vocabulary, while all of the other words are considered core vocabulary.