Reference

Clinical notes for AAC programming

A condensed reference of modelling principles, partner skills, ratio guidance, and communicative-function vocabulary — drawn from our Founder's clinical practice.

Ratio guidance

Core / Fringe ratio by communicator stage

StageCoreFringe
Emergent80%20%
Wants & Needs70%30%
Context-Cue60%40%
Transitional50%50%
Independent50%50%
Aided language stimulation

Modelling principles

Model one step above
Use AAC at a level slightly higher than the learner's current expressive output.
Speak + tap together
Tap the symbol on the device while speaking the complete sentence aloud.
Skip strict grammar early
At early stages, do NOT model grammatically perfect sentences — keep it functional.
Statements, not questions
Foster connection, motivation and curiosity. Comment more than you quiz.
Self-talk
Narrate what YOU are doing: 'I'm washing the dishes. Now I'm drying them. All done.'
Parallel talk
Comment on what the CHILD is doing: 'You're building a big tower!'
Don't force imitation
Pressure flips the dynamic. Repeat your model warmly and move on.
Cycle through contexts
Re-use target words across activities and communicative functions.
Descriptive teaching
Concept-focused — explain new words using the core words the learner already has.
Praise attempts
'Wow, that was a great try!' — value the communication attempt over precision.
Mindset

Communication partner skills

  • Presume competence — always.
  • Be persistent and consistent across people and settings.
  • Make interaction interactive, connecting, motivating and fun.
  • Be patient — allow processing time after every model.
  • Make AAC available 24/7. The device is never taken away.

AAC must travel with the learner — home, school, therapy, community, shopping, outings. Use straps or harnesses for portability.

Pragmatics

Communicative functions → core words

FunctionCore words
Requestwant, what that, want more, want another, want full, want help, help me
Social conversationWhat? What do you like? I like, Where you go? Do you like?
Protest / rejectstop, stop music, not that, no, no more
Direct another / instructget, get it, give, give me, open it, go down, come up
Ask questionswhat, what that?, where, when?, who?
Describedirty, different, big, small, wet, dry
Agree / disagreeyes, no
Express feelingshappy, sad, excited, upset, frustrated, confused, angry
Give opiniongood, I like, I don't like, bad, that bad
Share somethingI see, I go, I eat, I like, I did
Commentsee, look, no!
Pre-intentional & emerging

Attribute meaning to behaviours

FunctionBehaviourVocabulary to model
Express requestsReaching, pointing, draggingwant, give, more, help
Sharing opinionLook of disgust, smilinglike, don't like, good, not good, I think, I feel
Reject / protestCrying, whining, aggressionstop, no, don't
Direct actionsHands you somethingdo, get, play, blow, go, push, up, down, open, close, on, off
Sharing informationShowing curiositywhat, look
Greetings & mannersSmiling on arrivalhello, how are you, please, thank you, sorry, okay, happy birthday
Device-specific

When Avaz is the device

  • Avaz offers easy access to core words — anchor vocabulary lessons here.
  • Use the Quick Folder for pre-stored urgent messages (e.g., help, alert, café orders).
  • The Alert button gets adult attention in noisy or unsafe situations — model in school group activities.
  • Grammar / morphology supports: tenses (past, present, future, continuous), plurals, possessives, comparatives, superlatives, pronouns (you / yourself / your / yours).
  • Add personal fringe vocabulary (names of family, places, foods) directly in the device for motivation.

Curated by Sadiya Yasin · A product of Sensiiq

Legal

Terms & Conditions

Effective May 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

By creating an account or using CommPass by Sensiiq, you agree to these Terms and Conditions. If you are accessing on behalf of a clinic, school or institution, you confirm you have authority to bind that organisation to these terms.

2. Platform Use

CommPass by Sensiiq is a clinical decision-support tool designed for use by speech-language pathologists, educators, AAC specialists and trained professionals. Activities, word lists and goal banks generated on this platform are intended to support clinical programming and must be reviewed and applied by a qualified professional. Sensiiq does not provide direct therapeutic services or replace clinical judgment.

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Subscriptions are billed monthly or annually depending on your selected plan. Prices are listed in Indian Rupees (INR). International users may be billed in USD at equivalent rates. Annual plans are billed as a single upfront payment. You may cancel at any time; cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period. No refunds are issued for partial billing periods. Institutional plans are managed under one admin email with access for up to three users. NGO and institutional bulk pricing is available on request.

4. AI-Generated Content

The Professional and Institutional plans include AI-powered features. AI-generated activities, goal suggestions and word lists are produced to support clinical programming and are not a substitute for professional evaluation. The accuracy of AI outputs depends on the information entered by the user. Sensiiq is not liable for clinical decisions made on the basis of AI-generated content alone.

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CommPass
by Sensiiq

A clinical decision-support tool helping SLPs, educators and AAC specialists generate personalised AAC programming and SMART goal banks.

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Credits

Developed by Sadiya Yasin
SLP, CEO & Founder — Sensiiq

A product of Sensiiq

© 2026 Sensiiq. CommPass is a clinical reference tool.For clinical/educational use. Not a substitute for individualised assessment.

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