Linguistic Hierarchy
Recommended software listed under related linguistic stage
The Seven Stages
1. Interpreted Communication (0 to +/- 4 months)
2. Intentional Communication (4 to +/- 9 months)
3. Single Words (9 to +/- 18 months)
4. Word Combinations(18 months to +/- 24 months)
5. Early Syntax (24 to +/- 36 months)
6. Syntax Mastery (3 to +/- 5 years)
7. Complete Generative Grammar (3 years to Adult)
1. Interpreted Communication (0 to +/- 4 months)
Language Characteristics
• No intention to communicate
• Cries, coos, and expressions are interpreted by caregiver
• Begins to focus on caregiver's speech
Training Goals
• Improve visual and auditory attention
• Develop communicative turn-taking
• Establish intentional communication and cause/effect
• Provide linguistic stimulation
Recommended Software:
• Creature Antics
• Creature Capers
• Creature Features
2. Intentional Communication (4 to +/- 9 months)
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Language Characteristics
• Expresses intent primarily through eye gaze
• Comprehension of words as abstract concepts emerges
• Alternating gaze between an object and a caregiver is developing
Training Goals
• Improve ability to signal intentionally
• Increase attention to words
• Develop symbolic comprehension
Recommended Software
• Creature Chorus Sterling Edition (SE)
• Creature Cartoons
• Creature Magic
• First Words, First Words II, and First Verbs, Sterling Editions
3. Single Words (9 to +/- 18 months)
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Language Characteristics
Comprehends object names as symbols of basic categories
• Understands verbs
• Uses single words in combination with gestures and the environment to communicate
Training Goals
• Increase symbolic comprehension
• Develop core vocabulary
• Introduce word combinations
Recommended Software
• Creature Magic
• First Words SE, First Words II SE, and First Verbs SE
• The Exploring Early Vocabulary Series
• Simple Sentence Structure SE
• The Talking Series
4. Word Combinations (18 to +/- 24 months)
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Language Characteristics
• Comprehends a core vocabulary
• Two-word combinations emerge
• Word combinations describe here-and-now environmental events
Training Goals
• Develop simple sentence structures
• Foster language exploration and growth
• Continue vocabulary and category development
Recommended Software
• Simple Sentence Structure Sterling Edition
• The Talking Series
• First Categories Sterling Edition
• The Language Activities of Daily Living Series
• TalkTime with Tucker
• Adjectives and Opposites
5. Early Syntax (24 to +/- 36 months)
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Language Characteristics
• Use short, simple sentences
• Utterances lack grammatical refinement and complexity
• Comprehension goes beyond the here-and-now
Training Goals
• Improve knowledge of grammar
• Expand sentence structures
• Enhance and expand vocabulary concepts
Recommended Software
• Adjectives and Opposites
• Simple Sentence Structure SE
• Nouns & Sounds SE
• TalkTime with Tucker
• The Words & Concepts Series
• Concentrate! On Words & Concepts Series
6. Syntax Mastery (3 to +/- 5 years)
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Language Characteristics
• Use simple and complex sentences
• Masters most grammatical forms
• Limited comprehension of abstract relationships among words
Training Goals
• Increase knowledge and use of complex syntax structures
• Increase semantic knowledge
• Improve auditory processing
• Foster critical thinking
Recommended Software
• Adjectives and Opposites
• The Words & Concepts Series
• Following Directions: Left and Right
• Following Directions: One and Two-Level Commands
• CONCENTRATE! On Words & Concepts
• Tiger's Tale
7. Complete Generative Grammar (5 to +/- Adult)
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Language Characteristics
• Shows complete mastery of al grammatical forms
• Establishes ability to analyze and talk about language
• Develops reading/writing skills
Training Goals
• Develop secondary language skills of reading/writing
• Provide advanced semantic training
• Enhance abstract concepts
Recommended Software
• Swim, Swam, Swum
• The Words & Concepts Series
• Following Directions: Left and Right
• Following Directions: One and Two-Level Commands
• Twenty Categories
• The Sentence Master
• CONCENTRATE! On Words & Concepts
• Tiger's Tale
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