Core Words for Classroom & Home: Developing Verbal Communication Skills and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Abilities

A Practical Guide for Parents, Teachers, and Speech-Language Pathologists Core Words for Classroom and Home is a practical resource to help parents, classroom teachers, and speech-language pathologists encourage communication skills for children who have severe communication deficits. This program offers easy-to-use activities that are targeted to develop verbal and/or augmentative alternative communication abilities (AAC). The program focuses on the most commonly used words for creating sentences (core words) and incorporates literacy, games, writing, art, and cooking activities that work within the home, school, and clinical settings. Included are parent and teacher guides to help with prompting communication skills, using AAC, and understanding specific strategies for optimum communication. As an added feature, each core word is pictured in American Sign Language (ASL). Additionally, the outline of the program allows for parents, teachers, and speech-language pathologists to use this program independently or in coordination with one another. Core words are presented over a two-week session, regardless of language level, with a simple daily guide to help with gradual implementation into the classroom, home, or therapy setting. The activities are interactive and focus on creating positive communicative interactions for both the child and the adult!