About It Takes Two to Talk

It Takes Two to Talk- The Hanen Program for Parents is a family-focused program for parents of young children who have communication difficulties. It Takes Two to Talk is based on years of research and addresses

• the need for early intervention
• the importance of parents’ involvement

It Takes Two to Talk is run by Hanen Certified speech-language pathologists, Heather Plocher and Gena Appleby. Through activities and group discussions, parents learn to create and take advantage of everyday opportunities to help their child communicate and use language. The program is supported by the new edition of the popular parent guidebook It Takes Two To Talk., as well as videotapes developed specifically for the program.

Who Should Attend the Program?

It Takes Two to Talk is recommended for parents of children with communication difficulties. The child’s communication abilities may range from being non-verbal to beginning to combine words.

Parents of children with communication difficulties associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are best suited to More Than Words- The Hanen Program for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Children with significant oral motor difficulties, such as developmental apraxia of speech, may be best suited to other intervention approaches.

Program Format and Content

Hanen Certified SLP’s lead a small group of parents through the It Takes Two to Talk program.

The program takes place over 11 weeks and combines group training sessions for parents with individual consultation and videotaping sessions. It includes

• an orientation meeting- the Hanen Certified SLP gives parents information to help them decide if the program is right for them
• a pre-program consultation- the Hanen Certified SLP evaluates the child’s communication, begins to identify communication goals, and videotapes the parents interacting with their child
• eight group training sessions- parents learn specific strategies to facilitate their child’s interaction and communication skills, and gain valuable support from other parents in the group
• three individual consultations with video feedback for each family- the Hanen Certified SLP videotapes parents applying the strategies learned in the group sessions, and gives them specific feedback

The following statements are from parents who have attended an It Takes Two to Talk program and were taken from the Hanen website (www.hanen.org):

“The program showed us as a family how to help Lauren develop. It gave us confidence and alternative ways to approach her.”

“Your program rescued us from agony. The emotional stress on us was huge, we felt helpless and so frustrated. We felt that the program rescued us and Mark, who has made astounding progress. We have changed our negative attitude and no longer feel this terrible guilt. We are so grateful to [our SLP], as well as to the program itself.”

“This program was a godsend. Knowing that there were other parents out there in the same situation as us was wonderful.

“I have just completed It Takes Two to Talk. What a difference this has made to the quality of life for my little girl. She is more confident and will initiate a conversation and will join in activities. She also initiates games, etc. Several weeks ago she would not have done so. The skills I have learned through the Hanen Program I will have for life and I know I will be able to help my three children now and in the future. They will no longer have to feel frustrated when communicating with me. Thank you Hanen. You have changed my life and my child’s."