AAC Support
AAC coding vocabulary resources
For students who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, having the right vocabulary is essential for discussing and explaining their coding work. Students can quickly outgrow their teacher’s coding knowledge, and need to explain what they are trying to achieve.
Some students who do not yet have the assistive tech setup to enable them to code independently, may be able to use an AAC pageset to dictate their code to an assistant to get started.
Why AAC vocabulary matters
When students learn to code, they need to:
- Discuss their ideas and plans
- Ask for help when stuck
- Explain what their code does
- Debug problems with teachers or peers
- Share their achievements
Getting core vocabulary into their AAC device helps reduce communication barriers.
Coding vocabulary pagesets
We are developing shared resources to allow people to more quickly jump into coding.
Asterics Grid
Loreto Dumitrescu at Zero Day Camp has created gridsets for Asterics Grid. Check out their full blog post at the following link: Giving Your Students Accessible CS Alternative Communication for Collaboration
Grid 3
Our first Grid 3 pageset includes comprehensive coding vocabulary and MakeCode-specific words for blocks in the micro:bit MakeCode editor. This comes in a grid with 10 columns, 8 cells. For alternative layouts in Grid 3 or other AAC apps, email us with an empty vocabulary template and we’ll send you a version that fits the required layout.
What’s included
- Categorised block vocabulary for micro:bit code, such as “show”, “icon”.
- Categorised options for blocks such as icon names (“happy”, “sad”, “giraffe”) or melodies (“dadadum”, “ode”, “funk”)
- Various social phrases - taken from the above Asterics pages, to ask for help, give feedback, or troubleshoot coding problems
- Various coding and micro:bit-related concepts and vocabulary, such as “crocodile clips”, “array”, “return”
Download
Ready to download the Grid 3 pageset?
This 10x8 gridset includes comprehensive micro:bit coding vocabulary and social phrases for collaborative learning.
After downloading, import the .gridset file into Grid 3. Need help? Contact us for setup support.
Other formats
We are working on pagesets for TD Snap, and Grid 3 pages with fewer rows/columns. Email us to request a specific format.
Customisation support
Every student’s vocabulary needs are different. We can help customize pagesets for different software.
- Match your student’s existing vocabulary organisation
- Add project-specific or platform-specific terms
- Adjust complexity level for age and ability
- Integrate with existing communication boards
- Support specific learning goals
Asterics Grid
AsTeRICS Grid is a free, web-based platform offering customizable grids for communication and control, supporting various input devices and user interfaces.
Check out some Asterics gridsets from Loreto Dumitrescu at Zero Day Camp or get in touch if you want Asterics conversions of any of the gridsets shared below.
Grid 3
Grid is commercial software for communication and access on Windows devices, commonly used in schools with several AAC users. If you don’t have a license already, you can download a free 60-day trial to check it out.
Full AAC gridset for coding in MakeCode with micro:bit
Integration with access methods
These vocabulary pagesets work alongside our other resources:
- Grid-based coding users: Vocabulary can be integrated with the coding grid interface
- Direct cursor control users: Separate communication board for discussing code
- Combined approach: Switch between coding and communication modes
Feedback welcome
We’re continuously improving these vocabulary sets based on real-world use.
Share your feedback and request specific formats→
Questions?
- Email us with questions about AAC vocabulary
- Ask about customisation for your specific AAC system
- Request a consultation to discuss your student’s needs