More Than Words® Guidebook and DVD for Parents of Young Autistic Children

More Than Words is a 'must have' reference for parents of children [on the autism spectrum], and for professionals supporting parents. More Than Words [offers]... strategies drawn from and based on the Hanen Program, an empirically validated, child-centred developmental approach to supporting children's communication development.

Barry Prizant, PhD.,
Director, Childhood Communication Services,
Cranston, RI

As a parent of a young autistic child, you want nothing more than to help your child communicate.

Extensive research has shown that when parents interact with their child in specific ways that motivate, encourage and support communication, they can make a significant difference to their child's social and communication development.

Based on this research, the More Than Words® guidebook (available in print and digital formats) and companion DVD provide parents with simple strategies they can use during everyday routines and activities to help their child interact more meaningfully with others and experience less frustration.

More Than Words can help you help your child reach the following three goals:

  • Improved social skills
  • The ability to engage in back-and-forth interactions
  • Improved understanding of language

How More Than Words® Helps

Practical ideas you can use in everyday situations

What makes More Than Words strategies so powerful is that you can use them during the everyday routines you're already doing with your child.

Making the most of your child's interests and special preferences, More Than Words can show you how to take any daily activity and turn it into a fun and natural way to help your child communicate. And because you're interacting closely with your child the whole time, you'll be connecting in new ways and learning things about each other you never knew before!

R.O.C.K.

"R.O.C.K. in your Routine" is an example of a More Than Words strategy that can help your child better understand what you say and do:

 

 

Easy-to-use guidebook and DVD

The More Than Words guidebook and DVD are easily digestible resources that provide you with a step-by-step learning experience. You can use the guidebook on its own, or you can use it in combination with the companion DVD to maximize your learning.

While the guidebook outlines all the important information and strategies you'll need, the companion DVD allows you to see those strategies in action by watching real-life videos of parents interacting with their children. This way, you'll really be able to "see" what works and what doesn't.

Step 1:
Identify your child's stage of communication

The More Than Words guidebook makes it easy for you to "zero in" on your child's stage of communication so that you'll better understand his needs and abilities.

Click on the link below to view sample pages from the guidebook explaining the characteristics of a child at the Own Agenda stage.

Step 2:
Consult the guidebook for a particular strategy

Once you have identified your child's stage, the guidebook explains how to implement the strategies for your child's particular needs.

Click on the link below to see how you can use the R.O.C.K strategy with a child at the Own Agenda stage during snack time.

Step 3:
Watch the corresponding section of the companion DVD

If you have the DVD, you can double-check that you're using a strategy correctly by going to the corresponding section of the companion DVD and watching real-life examples of other parents using that strategy with their child.

Click on the video to watch a clip from the More Than Words companion DVD.

Research-based strategies

The strategies you'll learn from More Than Words are drawn from More Than Words – The Hanen Program® for Parents of Autistic Children or Children Who May Benefit from Social Communication Support.

This program is grounded in extensive research that shows what helps young autistic children learn best. For more information on the research behind More Than Words, see our Research Summary.

Ongoing support

As your child's communication progresses and new goals are set, you can keep returning to More Than Words for examples of how to use each strategy at your child's new stage.

If your child is seeing a speech-language pathologist, consider showing the guidebook to them so they can help you choose activities to supplement home programming.


         After I have spent hundreds of dollars on autism books and thousands of dollars on assessments, I always keep coming back to the fact that More Than Words is the best resource out there. It's easy to read, all ideas-based, and simple to do… [My doctor] said there was nothing to do but get on a waiting list and wait for an assessment… [Now I have] a book that has millions of ideas for me to do at home. - Mom
 
Learn how you can build your child's social communication skills while connecting and having fun together. Order your More Than Words resources today.