Hanen More Than Words is an evidenced based family focused program for parents of children who would benefit from social communication supports. Led by a Hanen Certified Speech Pathologist, the program supports parents to become their child’s primary communication partner by teaching practical strategies to build social engagement, play, and language skills within everyday routines. Through group training sessions, video feedback and implementation of strategies, parents learn to follow their child’s lead, create meaningful interaction opportunities and support their child’s communication development.

Expected outcomes of this program:

• Parents/caregivers will use knowledge about their child's strengths and stage of communication to set meaningful and realistic goals.
• Parents/caregivers will learn to be responsive to their child’s communication attempts, using their child's interests to facilitate interactions.
• Parents/caregivers will learn concepts about social communication and language and how to apply these in everyday situations.
• Children will have increased opportunity for communication throughout their day.

The Program is facilitated by the Hanen Certified Speech Pathologist and is delivered as follows:

• 1 x orientation session (2.5hr)
• 1 x pre program consultation (1 hr per family)
• 8 x parent only group sessions (2 hours each)
• 3 x individual parent and child sessions (1 hour per session)

Groups will be a minimum of 3, maximum of 6 families.

Participants are required to have the Parent Guidebook - The Hanen Centre - More Than Words® Guidebook.

The program is delivered at $1,350 per child with travel charged as a round trip at the rate of $200 per hour.

Families are required to have a copy of the Parent Guidebook: More Than Words: A Parent’s Guide to Building Interaction and Language Skills for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Social Communication Difficulties (Sussman, 2012) - The Hanen Centre - More Than Words® Guidebook.