Discover Minspeak®: A Smarter Way to Communicate

Minspeak® is more than just a vocabulary system, it’s a powerful way to unlock communication for individuals who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Developed in the early 1980s by Dr. Bruce Baker, Minspeak uses multi-meaning symbols to represent words. Instead of assigning one picture to one word, Minspeak taps into our natural ability to associate multiple meanings with a single image.

Take the apple symbol, for example. It might mean “apple,” but it could also represent “fruit,” “red,” “bite,” or “hungry.” This approach allows users to express a wide range of ideas using a relatively small set of symbols—making communication faster, more efficient, and more accessible.

Why Minspeak Works

Minspeak is built on a few key principles:

• Multi-meaning symbols: Fewer symbols representing a robust vocabulary
• Symbol families: Vocabulary organized semantically so that related words, e.g., "eat," "hungry," and "food" are all programmed under the same symbol, no matter the part of speech
• Motor planning: Words have unique motor sequences, helping users build muscle memory
• Word-based vocabulary: Users can create their own, unique messages, not just pre-programmed language
• Core vocabulary: Focuses on the most commonly used words in everyday communication
• Language for life: Supports users of all ages and cognitive levels, from early communicators to advanced language users

Make the most of built-in teaching tools like Vocabulary Builder™ and Word Finder™ to get comfortable with Minspeak’s setup and start playing with words and phrases.

Meet Unity®: Consistency that Grows with You

Unity® is one of the most widely used Minspeak applications. It was designed to grow with the user, offering a consistent symbol layout and predictable symbol sequences. That consistency helps users develop automaticity—the ability to communicate without having to think about where each word is.

Explore your options:

• 1-Hit and Sequenced vocabularies
• Wide range of button locations to meet unique communicator needs
• English and Spanish
• Available on Accent® and Via®/iOS

LAMP Words for Life®: Language for a Lifetime

LAMP Words for Life® is another Minspeak-based system, designed specifically for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. It combines the power of Minspeak with the Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) approach, helping individuals develop natural, spontaneous communication through consistent motor patterns and meaningful interactions.

Explore your options:

• 1-Hit and Full vocabularies
• 84-button location to give an individual the most vocabulary
• Unique and consistent motor plan supporting automaticity through repeated movement patterns
• English, Spanish, Canadian French, German
• Available on Accent®, NovaChat®, and Via®/iOS

UNIDAD Bilingual Vocabulary System

The UNIDAD vocabulary system is a bilingual option designed to provide access to complete English and Spanish language systems within an AAC device. The UNIDAD system was developed to enable bilingual individuals who use AAC to express themselves fully in both languages, thereby communicating successfully in all environments.

UNIDAD, available on our Accent line of AAC devices, is based on the innovative Unity language system and delivers the power and flexibility of Unity with a system that enables mirrored motor plans for language concepts in both Spanish and English (28, 36, 60, and 84 locations available). 

The communicator can quickly toggle between words in Spanish and English while maintaining a consistent motor plan, accelerating learning in both languages. In addition, two bilingual Acapela voices – Emilio and Valeria – produce correct pronunciations in English and Spanish.

The social connection is the most important component of the child's potential,” said John Halloran, M.S., CCC-SLP. “Be very child-centered and follow their lead. The happier the child is during the session, the more progress they're going to make. That's the main thing you have to do to make this method work.

- John Halloran, M.S., CCC-SLP

Corescanner

CoreScanner is a step-by-step vocabulary system that helps users build language from a single word to thousands without changing the motor plan. Designed for individuals of all abilities, it grows with the user at their own pace.

Key Features

• Engaging Activities: Includes “My Social” games like Story Teller and Silly Simon Says
• Quick Start: Simple 8-location layout for early learners
• Flexible Navigation: Easily move between levels
• Customizable Vocabulary: “My Categories” lets teachers and parents personalize content at every stage

CoreScanner makes communication accessible, adaptable, and fun—from first words to full conversations.