Overview
Program development is underway for a new Hanen Program called TalkAbility™ – The Hanen Program for Parents of Verbal Children on the Autism Spectrum. The first TalkAbility workshop is scheduled for late 2008/early 2009.
TalkAbility is being designed for families with children aged three to seven on the mild end of the autism spectrum. These children can talk, but having extended conversations and making friends is very challenging for them. Many parents attempt to address this by seeking out social skills groups so their child can learn to play with and talk to peers. These parents are often unaware that, in addition to giving their child opportunities to interact with other children, there is a lot that their child can learn about conversation and interaction from Mom, Dad and the rest of the family.
By applying the TalkAbility strategies, parents and professionals will help verbal children on the autism spectrum:
- Take appropriate turns in a conversation and then wait for others to take theirs
- Tune into what people say without words in a conversation
- Understand how other people feel and respond appropriately
- Lean how to play with other children and make friends