Unlocking communication: My daily life with the Saltillo 88 Core Board

Introduction
As an AAC speech and language therapist who uses the Saltillo 88 Core board every day, I can tell you it’s more than just a communication tool. It’s a doorway to independence, connection, and expressing my students’ unique voice.
What is the Saltillo 88 and why do I use this one?
In this blog post, I want to share practical, real-world examples of how I integrate the Saltillo 88 into various daily activities, empowering my students and parents to learn to communicate.
There are literally hundreds of core boards out there and I have tried many different ones over the years. Which one should I use with this particular client? Should I make up my own? (I have made up tons!) or should I use a ready-made one like the one below which is what this blog is about.
For me the best ones are boards with a good number of core words (at least 60) so that the board is versatile and can be used across a range of activities. The board needs to have a range of pronouns, verbs, descriptors, prepositions and question words to be useful and to stimulate not just requesting but commenting and asking questions. Another consideration is: can the board easily be transferred to a more robust AAC system. Once my student is used to the symbols and where they are could we move to an electronic talker/device. And if this answer is ’yes’ then we have a great board to get started with.
Below is a picture of the Saltillo 88.

It has 88 words and I find it really does suit most activities. The same board and design is also then found on the TOUCHCHAT AAC device which can be a seamless transition for our learner.
Let me dive into how core words/board or AAC can be used daily:
1. Getting dressed
Whilst choosing clothes for your little one and getting them ready for the day you can use the following words: want, like, get, finish. Always pack the words into little phrases you can speak naturally when using a board. I have tried to show you phrases that you could use below.
The words in bold are the core words on the board and the other words are just words you say whilst pointing to the core word.
- Goal: Express choices, needs, and preferences about clothing.
- Ideas:
- ‘I want this one [specific item of clothing: ‘shirt’, ‘pants’]’
- ‘I like that one [colour/type of clothing]’
- ‘Help me [put/get it on/take off]’
- ‘let’s get your socks now’
- ‘finished let’s go’ (when dressed)
2. Having a shower/bath
- Goal: Bath time tends to happen daily and so it lends itself to using the same useful phrases and words to chat about temperature preferences, to ask for toys or for washing routines.
- Ideas:
- ‘let’s go have a bath/shower’
- ‘let’s turn on the tap/water’
- ‘now turn it off’
- ‘let’s get/have more toys/water/bubbles/tickles’
- ‘all gone, what’s next?’
- ‘how about washing your hands/feet’
- ‘let’s do that again’
- ‘need some help?’
- ‘Stop it now, let’s do something different’
3. Mealtimes
- Goal: Mealtimes can be (or should be) enjoyable and motivating to ask for specific things we like, and commenting about our eating experiences.
- Ideas:
- ‘I want/give me [food item: ‘apple’, ‘bread’]/[drink item: ‘water’, ‘juice’]’
- ‘More foods/drinks/snacks’
- ‘All done’
- ‘that’s messy we like that (not)’
- ‘Like’/‘Don’t like’
- ‘Big’/‘Little’
- ‘this is so nice!’
4. Playing
- Goal: This is where it’s at for children of course and we can use our core words to chat and engage with our little learners.
- Ideas:
- ‘I want play’
- ‘Go’/‘Stop’
- ‘More/again’
- ‘not it’s my My turn’/’it’s Your turn’
- ‘that’s a Big one!’/‘let’s do Little bubbles’ (describing toys)
- ‘let me Open it for you’ (for boxes, doors in play)
- ‘I See it’ (to draw attention)
- ‘Help me’ (with a tricky toy)
5. Opening boxes/doors/etc
- Goal: Most kids love opening boxes, doors and cabinets to see what there is to play with. Help your child to ask for what they want.
- Ideas:
- ‘let’s Open that box/bag/zip/door’
- ‘get me a (toy) out of here’
- ‘Let’s Take it out and see what it is?’
- ‘finished’ (when finished with the task)
- ‘I want [what’s inside]’
- ‘What’s next? Let’s see’
Tips for using AAC effectively
- Consistency is key: Emphasise using it regularly, even for small things.
- Modelling: this is crucial, the adults need to use the board for all situations first and foremost before we can expect our child to be interested.
- Patience: Communication takes time and practice.
- Celebrate successes: Acknowledge every communicative attempt.
- Make it accessible: Keep the board within easy reach at all times.
Conclusion
If you’re considering the Saltillo 88, or TouchChat, or are already using it, I hope these examples inspire you. It’s a journey of discovery, and every word communicated is a step towards a more connected and independent life. What are your favourite ways to use the Saltillo 88 or which core board do you love using? I would love to hear your comments and stories.

Sonja McGeachie
Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Owner of The London Speech and Feeding Practice.
Find a speech and language therapist for your child in London. Are you concerned about your child’s speech, feeding or communication skills and don’t know where to turn? Please contact me and we can discuss how I can help you or visit my services page.