Learning at home · Saarthi

How modelling works

Modelling means touching the words on your child's device while you speak, much as babies hear speech for months before they talk. Your child does not have to copy you. Just by watching, they are learning where the words live and what they do.

Use short phrases. "Want juice", "Go outside", "More music".
Model on the device as you speak. Touch each word, then pause.
Pause naturally. Give your child time to answer in their own way, or not at all.
Respond to every attempt. A tap, a look, a sound or a gesture is communication. Treat it that way.
Keep the device close all day. A voice that is put away cannot be used.
Keep button locations the same. LAMP works by motor memory, so words should stay in the same place.

Never test. Questions like "show me MORE" turn communication into a quiz. Model, wait and celebrate whatever comes back.

Core words

Core words are small words that work in hundreds of situations. For example, "more" works for food, music, tickles and swings. These are a good first 25 to model:

I
you
want
more
go
stop
help
like
not
in
out
on
off
up
down
open
close
eat
drink
play
look
big
little
good
finished

Six stages of words

Words build on each other. Move on to the next stage when the earlier words feel familiar, and keep using them.

1. First power words

More, go, stop, help, want, like, no, yes, in, out.

Try: WANT COOKIE · MORE JUICE · GO OUTSIDE

2. Feelings and body

Happy, sad, mad, tired, sick, hurt, scared, calm.

Try: I FEEL HAPPY · I AM TIRED · HURT HELP

3. Daily needs

Eat, drink, bathroom, sleep, wash, finished, break, wait.

Try: DRINK WATER · NEED BATHROOM · FINISHED WORK

4. Social words

Hi, bye, thank you, please, look, listen, friend.

Try: HI FRIEND · LOOK AT THAT · THANK YOU

5. Favourite things

Music, swing, walk, bubbles, car ride, park, a favourite show.

Join them with core words: WANT SWING · MORE BUBBLES

6. Early sentences

Requests, protests, comments and feelings.

Try: GO PARK · DON'T LIKE · LOOK FUNNY · I TIRED

A 6-week routine

Focus on two new words each week, and keep modelling the words from earlier weeks.

Week	Words	Where to practise
1	GO, STOP	Walks, videos, swings and games
2	MORE, WANT	Meals, snacks, music and favourite activities
3	HELP, FINISHED	Dressing, puzzles, chores and schoolwork
4	LIKE, NOT LIKE	Choosing foods, shows and activities
5	IN, OUT	Containers, laundry, toys and the kitchen
6	LOOK, PLAY	Books, sports, the park and family time

Words for daily routines

Meals: want, more, eat, drink, all done, like, not like.
Walks and outings: go, stop, look, big, little, open, help.
Screen time: play, go, stop, more, funny, look, like.
Feelings: happy, sad, mad, tired, scared, hurt, calm, used in real moments.
With other people: hi, bye, thank you, friend, look, come, help.
For teenagers: words for privacy, independence, hobbies, preferences and feelings.

Little stories to read together

Short, repeating stories help a word stick. Read them aloud and touch the word on the device each time it appears.

GO

Sam wants to play. GO! The car can GO. The swing can GO. Ready, set, GO!

Mia wants MORE cookies. MORE bubbles! MORE music! Mia says MORE!

STOP

The music plays. STOP. The ball rolls. STOP.

HELP

The jar is closed. HELP please. The toy is stuck. HELP.

LOOK

LOOK at the ball. LOOK at the dog. LOOK outside. LOOK!

Find Your Words: a storybook of 32 words

This picture storybook has four chapters. Each page has one short sentence and a "Model it" line, such as "I want my book." Words keep the same colour every time, matching the app: green for action words and blue for describing words. Each chapter keeps the words from the chapters before it.

Chapter	New words
School and schoolwork	want, need, help, more, stop, go, look, wait
Home and chores	do, get, put, clean, eat, drink, all done, again
Feelings and speaking up	feel, happy, sad, mad, tired, hurt, yes, no
Hanging out and interests	play, like, listen, watch, share, turn, come, with

Suggested pace: one chapter every one to two weeks, going back to earlier chapters often. If a word is not landing, tell your child's speech-language therapist rather than skipping it.

Workbooks

There are four workbooks of everyday skills, written for learners aged about 10 to 13 but easy to use at any age. Each one comes in two versions: an interactive version for a tablet, where children drag, tap and check their answers, and a printable PDF with the same activities.

Workbook 1: Life Skills

Cooking, laundry, hygiene and chores, starting with putting a morning routine in order.

Open interactive version · Printable PDF (11 pages)

Workbook 2: Communication

Making choices, asking for things, naming feelings and simple conversations.

Open interactive version · Printable PDF (9 pages)

Workbook 3: Math & Money

Coins, counting, adding and telling the time.

Open interactive version · Printable PDF (10 pages)

Workbook 4: Literacy

Short stories about everyday outings, with questions to read and answer.

Open interactive version · Printable PDF (11 pages)

Interactive activities

These touch-screen activities work on a tablet or computer. Children can drag pictures with a finger, or tap a picture and then tap where it goes.

Sorting Class Sort 25 pictures into five boxes: food, clothes, toys, animals and vehicles. Gentle sounds can be turned off. Start sorting First, Then, Done! Learn the steps of brushing teeth with pictures and spoken steps, then practise putting them in order. Includes a simple First and Then mode. Start the routine

Reinforcers

A reinforcer is something your child enjoys that follows a skill or effort, making it more likely to happen again. Every child is different, so offer a few choices and watch what they reach for.

Social

Specific praise ("You asked for help!"), high fives, hugs, cheering, a silly dance, a thumbs up.

Sensory

Swinging, bouncing, spinning, tight squeezes, bubbles, music, light-up toys, playdough, water play.

Activities

A favourite song or video clip, a short game, a walk outside, drawing, a book, time with a special interest.

Things

Stickers, a stamp, a favourite toy for a few minutes, tokens towards a bigger reward, a small treat now and then.

Choice and independence

Choosing the next activity, being the helper, pressing the button, a few minutes of free time.

Give it straight away, and always pair it with warm, specific praise.
Keep it small and varied, so it stays special.
Fade it slowly as the skill grows, until praise and the activity itself are enough.

Noticing progress

Once a week, jot down three things: new words you modelled, words your child used on their own and any word combinations. Small changes add up, and notes help you and your child's therapists see them.

Printable guides

Words for Life: LAMP Starter BookletPDF · 2 pages

The six stages of words and the 6-week routine on one sheet for the fridge.
LAMP Words for Life Home ProgramPDF · 18 pages

The first 25 core words, a weekly plan, words for daily routines and parent tips.
Core Word StoriesPDF · 6 pages

Five short repeating stories for GO, MORE, STOP, HELP and LOOK.
Find Your Words storybookPDF · 45 pages

The illustrated 32-word storybook, ready to print for home, school or therapy.

Learn more about AAC

The Center for AAC & Autism shares information about AAC and the LAMP approach for autistic children.
A speech-language therapist who knows AAC can help you choose a device, set the right vocabulary level and coach you as your child grows.

About these guides: they were prepared for families, drawing on common AAC practice. They are not a substitute for a speech-language therapist. LAMP Words for Life is an app made by PRC-Saltillo, and Saarthi is not connected with it.