AAC, plainly
Core Words in AAC
The small set of flexible, high-frequency words that do most of everyday talking — and the backbone of AAC vocabulary design. Plus an honest note about which of our apps this does and doesn’t apply to.
The idea
Core words are the small set of flexible, high-frequency words that do most of everyday talking — words like go, more, stop, want, help, not, that, you. They combine into almost anything (“want that”, “go more”, “not you — help”), which is why AAC practice treats them as the backbone of a communication system, with fringe words — the specific nouns of a person’s actual life — layered on top. ASHA’s AAC practice portal covers core vocabulary within AAC system design (ASHA).
“Core word of the week”, honestly described
The classroom pattern many special education teachers and SLPs use: pick one core word, then model it all week — adults pointing to or selecting the word on a student’s AAC system while saying it in real contexts (aided language stimulation), not as a drill but as ordinary talk. The week’s power isn’t the word; it’s the dozens of honest modelling moments around snack, play, and transition. It costs nothing and needs no special materials beyond the student’s own system.
Where Folio fits — and where it doesn’t
Honesty first: Folio AAC is not a symbol core-word board. It ships no symbol vocabulary at all — it’s a text-based talker for students who read and type. If you’re teaching core words with symbol supports to an emergent communicator, Folio isn’t that tool, and we’d rather tell you than sell you.
Where Folio does fit: literate students who type to speak still deserve vocabulary that’s theirs. Folio’s saved phrases and topic boards can hold the words and sentences a student actually uses — built with a teacher or SLP, owned by the student, spoken instantly. For that setup, see AAC and assistive apps in the classroom.
More context: what is AAC? · for schools & professionals
Frequently asked questions
What are core words in AAC?
Core words are the small set of flexible, high-frequency words that do most of everyday talking — go, more, stop, want, help, not, that, you. In AAC they are the backbone of a vocabulary because they recombine into almost anything, with fringe words layered on top.
Why are core words important?
Because a small set of words covers most of what anyone says, teaching core vocabulary first gives an AAC user the most to say soonest. Core words work across topics and settings. Fringe words — names, foods, places — matter too, but each one only fits its own context.
What is the difference between core and fringe words?
Core words are frequent and reusable — go, more, not — and work anywhere. Fringe words are specific: names, foods, places, the dog. Both matter. A system that is all fringe can name things but not build a sentence; one that is all core cannot say who it means.
For students who type to speak
Folio AAC speaks what a literate student types or taps — saved phrases, topic boards, a fixed emergency button, and on-device Listen with optional reply suggestions. Not a symbol AAC system; a fast, dignified talker for readers.
Related: what is AAC? · teachers & classrooms