Core Word of the Week (WOW)

Systematic AAC Modeling for Everyday Language

The Core Word of the Week strategy teaches high-frequency words—such as go, more, and help—through daily AAC modeling. By spotlighting one new core word each week and demonstrating it across home, classroom, and therapy routines, BCBAs, speech-language pathologists, and teachers give emerging AAC users hundreds of clear, meaningful examples that build true word understanding.

Why use Core Word of the Week?

• Accelerated vocabulary growth. Repeated aided language input (≈100 models per day) is linked to faster expressive-vocabulary gains and more spontaneous device use.
• Flexibility across contexts. Core words appear in 80 %+ of everyday utterances, so mastering them boosts communication in play, academics, and self-advocacy.
• Low-pressure, high-confidence learning. Expectation-free modeling lets learners process language first, reducing performance anxiety and improving long-term retention.