Core Connect AAC Handout
Total Communication & AAC Guide
Core Connect AAC Handout
Multimodal request modeling, core word targets, and fringe vocabulary bridge
Target Session Benchmark 15 Multimodal Core Words / Session
AAC • Signs • Approximations • Speech
Student: Â
Partner: Â
AAC Device: Â
Date: Â
1. Target Core Vocabulary: Multimodal Production Matrix
Model on device & paired with sign/word
MORE Core
Sign: Tap fingertips together in front of chest.
Speech: "mo", "mor", "m-m"
Prompt: "More bubbles", "More dog"
WANT Core
Sign: Palms up, curved fingers pull toward chest.
Speech: "wa", "wahn", "w-w"
Prompt: "Want ball", "Want hat"
HELP Core
Sign: Thumbs-up fist resting on flat palm lifts upward.
Speech: "eh", "hep", "h-h"
Prompt: "Help open", "Help puzzle"
OPEN Core
Sign: Flat palms touch at sides, then swing outward.
Speech: "o-pe", "oh", "pen"
Prompt: "Open box", "Open coat"
STOP Core
Sign: Edge of one flat hand chops down on other palm.
Speech: "tah", "dop", "st-op"
Prompt: "Stop car", "Stop tickle"
2. Age-Appropriate Fringe Categories (Identify & Pair)
Pair fringe nouns with target core words
Toys & Play
Bubbles Ball Car / Train Blocks Puzzle
Carrier Models:
• "WANT car"
• "MORE bubbles"
Animals
Dog Cat Bear Dino Fish / Bird
Carrier Models:
• "WANT dog"
• "HELP dino (open)"
Clothing Items
Shoes Hat Coat / Jacket Socks Shirt
Carrier Models:
• "HELP shoes"
• "OPEN coat"
Body Parts
Eyes / Nose Mouth Hands Feet / Toes Tummy
Carrier Models:
• "HELP hands (wash)"
• "STOP tickle (feet)"
3. Total Communication Partner Strategies (Honor All Modalities)
1. Expectant Wait (7–10s)
Hold desired item just out of reach. Lean in with an open facial expression. Allow processing time before stepping in.
2. Aided Language Modeling
Touch the core word on their AAC device while signing and speaking: "Oh, you want the car! I touch WANT."
3. Multimodal Acceptance
Reinforce equally: high-tech button press, ASL sign, vocalization ("wa"), or point. Any communicative intent counts!
Page 1: Clinical Implementation & Visual Communication Guide Turn over for 15-Production Session Tracking Log →
IEP Data Collection Sheet
Session Request Counter (15 Targets)
Tally 15 core vocabulary requests across modalities and fringe categories
Session # ______
Setting 1:1 / Group
Primary Activity: Â
Target Items/Toys: Â
Start / End Time: Â
15 Core Word Request Tracker (Check Modality & Prompt Level)
IND: Independent CUE: Gesture/Verbal MOD: Modeled
#01 Request
IND CUE MOD
WANT MORE HELP
[ ] AAC [ ] Sign [ ] Spch
Category: [ ] Toy [ ] Animal [ ] Clothes [ ] Body
#02 Request
IND CUE MOD
WANT OPEN STOP
[ ] AAC [ ] Sign [ ] Spch
Category: [ ] Toy [ ] Animal [ ] Clothes [ ] Body
#03 Request
IND CUE MOD
MORE HELP OPEN
[ ] AAC [ ] Sign [ ] Spch
Category: [ ] Toy [ ] Animal [ ] Clothes [ ] Body
#04 Request
IND CUE MOD
WANT MORE STOP
[ ] AAC [ ] Sign [ ] Spch
Category: [ ] Toy [ ] Animal [ ] Clothes [ ] Body
#05 Request
IND CUE MOD
HELP OPEN WANT
[ ] AAC [ ] Sign [ ] Spch
Category: [ ] Toy [ ] Animal [ ] Clothes [ ] Body
#06 Request
IND CUE MOD
MORE STOP HELP
[ ] AAC [ ] Sign [ ] Spch
Category: [ ] Toy [ ] Animal [ ] Clothes [ ] Body
#07 Request
IND CUE MOD
WANT OPEN MORE
[ ] AAC [ ] Sign [ ] Spch
Category: [ ] Toy [ ] Animal [ ] Clothes [ ] Body
#08 Request
IND CUE MOD
HELP STOP WANT
[ ] AAC [ ] Sign [ ] Spch
Category: [ ] Toy [ ] Animal [ ] Clothes [ ] Body
#09 Request
IND CUE MOD
OPEN MORE HELP
[ ] AAC [ ] Sign [ ] Spch
Category: [ ] Toy [ ] Animal [ ] Clothes [ ] Body
#10 Request
IND CUE MOD
WANT STOP MORE
[ ] AAC [ ] Sign [ ] Spch
Category: [ ] Toy [ ] Animal [ ] Clothes [ ] Body
#11 Request
IND CUE MOD
HELP OPEN WANT
[ ] AAC [ ] Sign [ ] Spch
Category: [ ] Toy [ ] Animal [ ] Clothes [ ] Body
#12 Request
IND CUE MOD
MORE STOP HELP
[ ] AAC [ ] Sign [ ] Spch
Category: [ ] Toy [ ] Animal [ ] Clothes [ ] Body
#13 Request
IND CUE MOD
WANT OPEN STOP
[ ] AAC [ ] Sign [ ] Spch
Category: [ ] Toy [ ] Animal [ ] Clothes [ ] Body
#14 Request
IND CUE MOD
MORE HELP OPEN
[ ] AAC [ ] Sign [ ] Spch
Category: [ ] Toy [ ] Animal [ ] Clothes [ ] Body
#15 Target!
IND CUE MOD
WANT MORE HELP
[ ] AAC [ ] Sign [ ] Spch
Target 15 Completed! 🎉
Session Summary & Modality Distribution
Total Requests ______ / 15 [ ] Goal Met (15+)
Independence ______ / 15 % Unprompted
Modalities Used
• AAC Device: ____
• Signs / Gestures: ____
• Speech / Approx: ____
Categories Targeted
[ ] Toys [ ] Animals
[ ] Clothes [ ] Body
Clinical Notes, Communication Wins & Next Session Targets
Record specific words, approximations, or device motor-plan notes
Word approximations noted (e.g., "wa" for want, "mo" for more): __________________________________________________
High-interest toys/materials that elicited highest spontaneous requests: _____________________________________________
Next session target words & fading prompts plan: _________________________________________________________________
Page 2: 15-Production Total Communication Session Log Total Communication • AAC Goal Tracking System