What are core words?
Core words are the small set of words that make up most of what we say: words like I, want, go, more, not and help. They work in almost any situation, so a core board is useful at meals, at play, in the car and at school. Words for things, like bubbles or water, add the topic.
Read more in our guide to core words in AAC.
How to use a core word board
- Keep it where it’s needed: on the fridge, at the table, in a bag for trips.
- Point to words while you talk, for example “I want more bubbles”, without asking for a copy back.
- Keep every word in the same place, so hands and eyes learn where it is.
- Swap words you never use for a few favorite things, like a snack or a toy.
Make it your own
Open the board in the editor to change any word or picture, add photos of real things (they stay on your device), or resize the grid up to 10 columns and 8 rows. Colors show the kind of word: people, actions, describing words and things.
When it’s ready, print it on A4 or US Letter, save it as a PDF, or share a link that opens a talking version on any phone or tablet.
