Foundational Family Services

The More Than Words Program was designed for parents of children on the autism spectrum and with other social communication difficulties. Addressing the unique needs of these children, the program provides parents with the tools, strategies and support they need to help their children reach their full communication potential.

More Than Words does this by empowering parents to help your child reach the following three goals:
1. Improved social communication and back-and-forth interactions
2. Improved play skills
3. Improved imitation skills

As a parent and/or caregiver, here are some of the valuable things that are learned when attending the More Than Words Program:
-What motivates your child to communicate
-How to use your knowledge about your child to set appropriate and realistic goals
-How to make interactions with your child last longer
-Tips for using pictures and print to help your child’s understanding
-Strategies for how to talk so that your child understands you
-Strategies for developing your child’s play skills
-Ways to help your child make friends

Program Components
-Informative and personal classes for small groups of parents
-A Hanen Certified speech-language pathologist who leads the program and has received special training from The Hanen Centre
-A pre-program consultation for you and your child with your speech-language pathologist
-Individual video feedback sessions of you interacting with your child, so you can “see” what is helping and what else you can do
-Individual video feedback of your child playing with another child so you can “see” how you help their interaction

• 0 to 3
• 3 to 8

• Caregiver Training
• Communication
• Language
• Social Skills

Breakthrough Speech & Language Therapy

6-8 (The same families participate in the entire program)

Caregivers of children who engage in at least 6 turns in conversation (3 turns each) would be better suited for Hanen’s Talkability Program. More Than Words is designed for children of up to 8 years of age who do not engage in lengthy conversations with others.

3-8 years of age are eligible (if child does not yet engage in multiple turns in conversation with others).

This is a caregiver coaching program, but children attend the video feedback sessions.

Other

Virtual only program

9 x 2.5 hours of workshop (once per week) with Individual Video feedback Consultations on the remaining 4 weeks (a total of 4 videos)

Start dates:
Winter 2023 – Tuesdays - January 31st 2023 (from 9:30am-12:00pm)

End dates:
Winter 2023 session: March 28th 2023