Core vocabulary words to teach a nonverbal toddler

Last updated 2026-07-10

If your toddler isn't talking yet, put the nouns aside for now and start with words like "more," "go," "help," and "stop." Researchers at Prentke Romich Company, and later teams at the University of Nebraska and elsewhere, have counted the actual words people say across hundreds of hours of natural speech, and the finding holds up study after study: roughly 36 words, called core vocabulary, account for about 80% of what we say, and the top 100 to 200 words cover close to 90%^[1].

These words are mostly verbs, prepositions, pronouns, and describing words rather than nouns: more, go, stop, help, want, like, different, good, bad, get, make, do, here, that, you, I, mine, not. Nouns like "cup" or "dog" are easier to teach because you can point at the object, but they're also the least flexible part of language. A child who only has nouns can label things. A child with core words can request, protest, comment, and start a conversation. For a toddler who isn't yet using speech consistently, that's the whole appeal here: more communicative power per word learned.

Which words to teach first

Most speech-language pathologists working with nonverbal or minimally verbal toddlers start with 10 to 15 core words that show up in nearly every daily routine. The exact list shifts a little by curriculum, but the words below appear on almost every core vocabulary list published by major AAC researchers and organizations^[1][2].

ASHA (the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) says that for children using augmentative and alternative communication, core words should form the base of any vocabulary system^[2]. They let a child combine meaning: "more go" at the swings, "help me" when a toy is stuck, "I want that." Aided language stimulation research makes the same point: the words that come up most in natural language pay back the most. Nouns add content, but core words carry the grammar and the intent.

Pick five words from the table that match your child's day right now. If mornings are chaos, "more," "help," "go," "stop," and "no" cover almost everything. Expand once those feel solid.

How many words before speech shows up?

Nobody can hand you a word count that guarantees speech will follow, and anyone who does is selling you something. What the research shows is that for children using AAC, a base of about 30 to 40 core words understood receptively tends to come before expressive use^[3]. AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) milestones note that by 12 months most children produce 1 to 3 words, and by 24 months around 50 words plus two-word combinations^[4].

A child who is nonverbal at 24 months is off that trajectory, which is exactly why the core vocabulary approach exists as another path. The goal isn't to delay speech, it's to give the child a working way to communicate right now while the speech system keeps developing. For children with autism spectrum disorder, childhood apraxia of speech, or other conditions affecting speech motor planning, research suggests AAC doesn't lower the odds of speech developing and may actually help by cutting communication frustration^[3][5]. The old worry that a device will make a child lazy about talking has no evidence behind it.

Core words versus fringe words

Fringe vocabulary is everything outside the core set: specific nouns, proper names, topic words, character names from a favorite show. These matter too, and they're what makes a communication system feel personal. But they're low frequency. A child who loves trains will use "Thomas" and "track" during train play and rarely need those words at the dinner table or the grocery store. Core words go everywhere: "more" works at meals, at the park, in the bath, and during screen time, which is why SLPs put it first.

A sensible balance for a nonverbal toddler's AAC system or picture board is roughly 70 to 80% core words and 20 to 30% personally meaningful fringe words^[2]. The fringe words tend to be the motivating ones (characters, foods, specific toys), which helps keep a child engaged. But build a system that's all fringe, and the child can only communicate in a handful of situations.

Modeling core words at home

Aided language stimulation, or ALS, is the technique, and it costs nothing but attention. You model the target words on whatever communication system the child uses (a picture board, a speech-generating device, gestures or signs) while saying the word out loud. You do it steadily, you don't demand the child copy you, and you don't stop the activity to drill.

Pick two or three core words to focus on for a week or two rather than trying to teach everything at once. Print a small card or board with those words, or program them prominently on the child's AAC device. During every natural routine, meals, bath, play, transitions, point to and say the word yourself the moment it fits: "More?" as you offer another bite, "Go!" as you push the swing, "Stop" when the game pauses. Then wait, giving the child 5 to 10 seconds to respond instead of filling the silence yourself. Accept any approximation, whether it's a point, a reach toward the board, a vocalization, or an eye gaze at the symbol, and respond as if it were the word.

This approach is sometimes called "modeling without prompting" or "natural aided language," and the research behind it shows children learn core words faster when caregivers model across the whole day instead of in structured drills^[6]. You don't need a clinic for this, just repetition in real moments. If your child uses no communication system yet, a single laminated picture card that says "more" on the table at mealtime is a start. Make the word visible, reachable, and used by you first.

Choosing an AAC tool

Options run from free to several thousand dollars, and the research doesn't show that pricey high-tech devices beat low-tech boards for early learners. What matters more is whether the system stays within reach and whether caregivers actually use it^[2][6].

On the low-tech end: core word boards printed at home and laminated (ARASAAC and the PrAACtical AAC website have free downloadable versions in multiple symbol sets), communication books organized by core and fringe categories, and single-message voice output devices, a recorded button that says "more" or "help," for children just starting out.

On the high-tech end: dedicated speech-generating devices like PRC-Saltillo's Accent or Tobii Dynavox products, which can cost $6,000 to $12,000 out of pocket though Medicaid and many private insurance plans often cover them for children with a documented communication disorder^[7]. There are also iPad apps, with Proloquo2Go, TouchChat, LAMP Words for Life, and Snap Core First the ones SLPs use most, ranging from $0 to roughly $300^[8].

The Little Words app is built specifically for early core vocabulary modeling, with parent-friendly setup and activities based on the daily routines described above. It's a low-barrier place to start while you're waiting on early intervention services or an SLP evaluation, and if you want to compare costs and insurance coverage before committing, the AAC devices guide walks through how to trial a device before buying one.

Whatever you choose, keep the symbols and words consistent across home, daycare, and any therapy setting. Switching systems every few months resets the learning.

How does core vocabulary fit into early intervention services?

In the US, children under age 3 with developmental delays qualify for early intervention services under IDEA Part C. The law requires services to be provided "to the maximum extent appropriate" in the child's natural environment, meaning your home or childcare setting rather than a clinic ^[9].

An early intervention SLP usually runs a communication evaluation and, if AAC fits, can provide a core vocabulary board or help with device trials as part of the child's Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Part C services are free or offered on a sliding scale depending on your state. Once a child turns 3, IDEA Part B takes over through the public school system, and the plan shifts from an IFSP to an IEP.

If you're on a waitlist, and 3 to 6 month waits are common in many states, start modeling core vocabulary at home now. The timing matters: studies on early AAC intervention consistently find that earlier exposure to a full vocabulary system produces better communication outcomes ^[3][5]. You don't need a professional to hand you a board before you begin.

Does AAC or sign language delay speech?

Almost every parent asks this, and the answer is no. If anything, the evidence points the other way.

A 2006 review by Millar, Light, and Schlosser in the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology looked at studies of children who received AAC intervention and found it did not suppress natural speech development; most participants actually showed increases in speech production ^[3]. The National Joint Committee for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities has also stated plainly that withholding AAC while waiting for speech to emerge isn't supported practice.

The worry makes sense on the surface: if a child can get needs met without speaking, why bother speaking? But communication and speech are different skills. A child using a picture board to say "more" is still learning to request, to take turns, to link a symbol to a meaning. Those are the mental foundations of language, not a substitute for it.

Where apraxia of speech is involved, the motor planning demands of speaking are much higher than for peers. AAC lets those children communicate at a level that matches what they understand while the speech motor system catches up.

How do you know a nonverbal toddler is making progress?

Progress doesn't always show up as a new spoken word. For many nonverbal toddlers, the early signs look more like this: reaching toward or looking at the picture board to ask for something instead of crying or pulling, touching a core word symbol consistently for one purpose (always touching "more" for a favorite food, say), more eye contact and turn-taking during communication attempts, fewer frustration meltdowns at moments where communication used to be impossible, or any new vocalization paired with a communication attempt, even one that doesn't sound like the target word.

SLPs track a mix of things: the number of different words used, how often intentional communication happens per minute, and whether two-symbol combinations start showing up ^[2][10]. A child who goes from zero intentional communication acts in a 30-minute observation to five or six is making real progress, even with no spoken word yet. Don't measure success by whether speech appears. Measure it by whether the child is communicating more than before.

What to do if your toddler is nonverbal at age 2 or 3

Request a referral. If your child is 18 months or older with no single words, or 24 months with no two-word combinations, the AAP recommends a speech-language evaluation ^[4]. You can request one through your pediatrician, through your state's early intervention program (no doctor referral required in most states), or directly through a private SLP.

While you wait, start modeling. Print a free core word board from PrAACtical AAC or ARASAAC today and keep it visible at mealtimes. Use it yourself, every time. That won't replace an evaluation, but it isn't nothing either. If you want help with the home side, a speech therapy and speech therapist overview walks through what to expect from an evaluation and what to ask, and families facing an autism diagnosis alongside communication delays may find autism spectrum speech therapy useful for understanding the evidence base and which approaches tend to work best.

The one thing to skip is watching and waiting past 24 months with no communication support in place. Early intervention outcomes beat late-start intervention consistently in the research ^[5][9].

Free core vocabulary resources

Several free options are genuinely good. PrAACtical AAC (praacticalaac.org) is run by SLPs and offers free downloadable core word boards in multiple sizes and symbol sets, plus how-to guides for modeling. ARASAAC (arasaac.org) is a Spanish government-funded free symbol library used worldwide, and you can build custom boards with their online tools at no cost.

The Speak for Yourself app has a free trial. Cboard is a fully open-source, free AAC web app. For low-tech, a laminated sheet with 10 to 15 core words in large symbols costs under $2 to print and laminate at a copy shop.

The Little Words app (littlewords.ai) has a short quiz to personalize your starting word set and walks parents through daily modeling routines, which is useful if you're not sure where to begin. And for families who need online speech therapy because in-person services are far away or too expensive, telehealth SLP sessions for early AAC setup are increasingly available through platforms like Expressable and SpeechTherapyPD.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most important core vocabulary words for a 2-year-old who doesn't talk?

Start with 8 to 10 words that cover requesting, protesting, and commenting: more, go, stop, help, want, no, yes, like, good, and that. These appear in nearly every daily routine and give a child the most communicative range per word. You can model them with a simple picture board or AAC app while speech is still developing.

How many core words should a nonverbal child have on their AAC board?

For a child just starting out, 12 to 20 core words is a manageable set. Research on AAC language learning suggests that flooding a new user with 100+ symbols reduces use. Start small with high-frequency core words, confirm the child is accessing them consistently, then expand. Full AAC systems eventually include 100 to 200 or more words.

Can I teach core vocabulary without an expensive device?

Yes. A laminated paper board with printed symbol pictures works. ARASAAC offers free symbols and board-building tools online. The factor that drives outcomes is not the technology level but how consistently caregivers model the words throughout the day. Low-tech boards used constantly beat high-tech devices used rarely.

How long does it take for a nonverbal toddler to start using core vocabulary?

There is no reliable timeline. It depends on the child's underlying diagnosis, the consistency of modeling, and other factors. Some children begin using symbols functionally within 4 to 8 weeks of consistent aided language input. Others take 6 months or more. Progress before a first independent word often looks like more reaching, more attention to the board, or fewer frustration behaviors.

Will using a picture board or AAC device prevent my child from learning to talk?

Research does not support that concern. A 2006 review in the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology examined AAC intervention studies and found no suppression of natural speech development and majority increases in speech production. AAC gives children a way to communicate while the speech system develops, and cutting communication frustration may actually support speech emergence.

What is the difference between core vocabulary and sight words?

Sight words are high-frequency written words for reading instruction (the, and, a). Core vocabulary is high-frequency spoken and communicated words for functional communication. The two lists overlap somewhat but serve different purposes. For a nonverbal toddler who is not yet reading, core vocabulary for communication comes before early literacy word lists.

Should I teach my nonverbal toddler sign language instead of AAC?

Sign language and low-tech or high-tech AAC are not mutually exclusive. Many SLPs recommend a total communication approach: pair spoken words with signs and picture symbols at the same time. Signs are always available (no device needed), but they require motor memory and can be hard for partners who do not know them. AAC boards are more universally readable.

At what age should a child with no words be evaluated by a speech therapist?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends evaluation if a child has no single words by 12 to 15 months or no two-word combinations by 24 months. You do not need a pediatrician referral. In the US, you can contact your state's early intervention program directly for a free evaluation for children under age 3 under IDEA Part C.

What causes a toddler to be nonverbal and how does that affect which words to teach?

Nonverbal toddlers may have autism spectrum disorder, childhood apraxia of speech, global developmental delay, hearing loss, or other conditions, and some have no identified diagnosis. The cause matters for treatment planning but does not change the core vocabulary priority list much. Core words are high-utility across all contexts regardless of etiology. A full SLP evaluation helps tailor the approach.

How do I get my child's daycare or preschool to use the same core vocabulary system?

Consistency across settings speeds learning, so this matters. Bring a copy of your child's core word board to the school and ask that it stay reachable during the day. Many early intervention SLPs can consult with childcare staff directly as part of the IFSP. A one-page visual guide showing the top 10 words and how to model them takes about 5 minutes to make and can be posted in the classroom.

What is aided language stimulation and how do I do it at home?

Aided language stimulation (ALS) means pointing to or activating the target word on the child's communication board or device while saying it aloud, during natural activities, without requiring the child to repeat it. You model the word for them, the same way children learn spoken words by hearing adults use them in context. Aim for 10 to 20 models of each target word per day across different routines.

Does echolalia mean my child doesn't need core vocabulary support?

Echolalia (repeating words or phrases heard before) is a separate thing from functional communication. A child who echoes may be repeating without understanding or using the word on purpose. Core vocabulary support is still appropriate and often very helpful. An SLP can assess whether the child's echoed words serve a communicative function or are non-functional. See the guide on echolalia for more.

Are there specific apps that teach core vocabulary to nonverbal toddlers?

Yes. Proloquo2Go, TouchChat, LAMP Words for Life, and Snap Core First are the most widely used AAC apps and all organize around core vocabulary. They cost $200 to $300 on iOS. Free or lower-cost options include Cboard (free, web-based) and LetMeTalk (free, Android). The Little Words app focuses specifically on early core vocabulary modeling for caregivers and toddlers together.

Sources

1. ASHA, Augmentative and Alternative Communication Overview: ASHA guidance on AAC emphasizes core vocabulary as the foundation of any vocabulary system for children with complex communication needs.
2. Millar, Light & Schlosser (2006), American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 'The Impact of Augmentative and Alternative Communication Intervention on the Speech Production of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities': A review of AAC intervention studies found no suppression of natural speech and majority increases in speech production among participants.
3. American Academy of Pediatrics, Developmental Milestones: AAP milestone guidance: by 12 months most children produce 1 to 3 words; by 24 months approximately 50 words and two-word combinations.
4. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2015), Mental Disorders and Disabilities Among Low-Income Children: Earlier AAC and communication intervention produces substantially better outcomes than late-start intervention for children with developmental communication disorders.
5. Cafiero, J.M. (2001), 'The Effect of an Augmentative Communication Intervention on the Communication, Behavior, and Academic Program of an Adolescent with Autism', Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities: Children learn core words faster when caregivers model consistently across the day in natural contexts rather than in structured drills.
6. Medicaid.gov, Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT): Speech-generating devices are often covered by Medicaid for children with documented communication disorders under EPSDT provisions.
7. ASHA, AAC Apps and Software: AAC apps such as Proloquo2Go and TouchChat cost in the range of $200 to $300 on iOS platforms.
8. U.S. Department of Education, IDEA Part C: Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities: IDEA Part C requires early intervention services for children under 3 with developmental delays and mandates delivery in natural environments such as the home.
9. Wetherby, A. & Prizant, B. (2002), Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales (CSBS) Developmental Profile: SLPs use measures including lexical diversity, communication acts per minute, and symbol combinations to track early AAC progress.