| At a glance: More Than Words® |
Type of therapy
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Family-based intervention
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The claim
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Improves communication skills in children with ASD
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Suitable for
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Parents of children with ASD (0-6 years)
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Research rating
Find out more about this rating system in our FAQs. |
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Time
Estimate of the total time for family in hours per week and duration. |
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Cost
Estimate of cost to family per session/item or week. |
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About this intervention
What is it?
More Than Words®, also known as The Hanen Program, is a family-centred, group-based training program. It focuses on training parents to help children with autism develop communication skills. The program is one of several developed at The Hanen Centre in Canada. The program can also be accessed in Australia.
Who is it for?
This program is for parents of children with autism who are under six years old.
What is it used for?
Overall, the More Than Words® program aims to promote communication skills in children with autism by educating parents. Parents learn techniques to encourage their child to communicate as part of daily life at home. The program is also designed to provide social support to parents.
Where does it come from?
The Hanen Centre was founded in Canada in 1975. The More Than Words® program was adapted from another Hanen program called It Takes Two to Talk®, an early intervention for preschoolers with language delays. The More Than Words® program focuses on fostering language development in children with autism.
What is the idea behind it?
All the Hanen programs, including More Than Words®, are based on a theory that proposes that language develops as a result of how children interact with others, especially carers. According to this theory, if parents learn to be more responsive to their child, they can create opportunities for the child to communicate as part of everyday activities.
The More Than Words® program uses approaches based on Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA), while emphasising parent training and a family-centred approach.
What does it involve?
The training program is usually run at a clinic or early-intervention centre by a Hanen-certified speech pathologist. It has three main parts:
- Initial assessment
- Group program – groups of eight families attend 8-10 weekly sessions (2.5 hours each) at a centre
- Video feedback sessions – three for each family. Parents are videotaped as they use the skills taught at home with their child, and the program trainer provides feedback on the taped material.
Aside from these centre-based aspects of the program, the program is mainly implemented in the child’s natural environment by the parents.
Cost considerations
The cost of this therapy is variable depending on the service provider. Parents need a parent guidebook, which they can either borrow or buy from the program providers.
Does it work?
This therapy has not yet been rated.
Who practises this method?
The More Than Words® program is delivered by a Hanen-certified speech pathologist or therapist, who has had specialised training at the Hanen Centre.
Only speech pathologists or therapists are eligible to complete this training.
Parent education, training, support and involvement
Parents are central to this approach and need to attend the initial assessment and the group program. They must also be part of the videotaped interactions and the feedback sessions. Parents are provided with a guidebook that takes them through the content of the group program.
Parent social support is built into this approach through the group format.
Where can I find a practitioner?
Contact your state autism association and ask them to recommend a service or practitioner. You might also be able to find an appropriately qualified More Than Words practitioner® using Speech Pathology Australia’s find a speech pathologist page. You may find a certified professional in your area who is trained to run the parent program through the Hanen Centre.
