It Takes Two to Talk® - The Hanen Program®

The IT TAKES TWO TO TALK® program is designed to teach parents of young children (birth to age 5) practical strategies on how to improve their child’s language and communication skills. Although it was specifically developed for parents of children who have been identified as having a language delay, the strategies learned are useful for all parents. 

Parents learn ways to improve their child’s communication skills during everyday activities such as playtime, mealtime, and bath routines. Through this program, the Speech-Language Pathologist teaches parents how to carry out the practical strategies naturally throughout the day with their child.

Examples of skills learned throughout this program include:

  • Recognizing your child’s stage and style of communication 

  • Identifying what motivates your child to interact 

  • Adjusting everyday routines to help your child take turns and keep interactions going

  • Following your child’s lead, building confidence, and encouraging him/her to communicate

  • Adding language to interactions with your child to help him understand language and then use it 

  • Playing and reading books with your child to help him learn language

  • Speaking to your child so that he’ll understand and learn new words

This therapy can potentially be used to treat the following:

Asperger Syndrome

One in 88 children is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Asperger syndrome is considered by many to be the mildest form of ASD.

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Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges.

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Expressive Language

Some individuals may have problems putting their own thoughts, ideas or feelings into words. This is called “expressive language”. 

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