Frequently Asked Questions

TalkAbility™ Online Advanced Workshop


Q: Who can take the TalkAbility workshop?

A: This workshop is open to speech-language pathologists/therapists who:

  • Have taken the prerequisite workshop More Than Words®; and
  • Have current Hanen membership.

Q: What is the workshop format and agenda?

A: TalkAbility is a 2-day online workshop consisting of 6.75 hours of training per day (excluding scheduled breaks). In a small group setting, SLPs participate in experiential, hands-on activities as the instructor guides them through the process of leading a TalkAbility Program. Principles of adult learning and family-centered practice are incorporated throughout.

Download the workshop agenda


Q: Is there anything I need to do before I come to the workshop?

A: Yes. Prior to the start of the workshop, participants must:

  • Complete a Pre-workshop Assignment – A link will be sent to you after registration.  This assignment must be completed at least five days before the start date of the workshop. If it is not completed, you will not be permitted to attend the workshop. Any refunds will be subject to the cancellation policy of the host organization – up to and including forfeiture of your registration fee.
  • Obtain a copy of the TalkAbility guidebook – This guidebook is required to attend the workshop, and it is the participants' responsibility to obtain a copy before the start date.

    • View guidebook purchase options.


Q: What does the Pre-workshop Assignment involve?

A: The Pre-workshop Assignment takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete. You'll learn about what the research says about children meeting the criteria for a TalkAbility program, and you'll start thinking about how the content may apply to a particular child on your caseload.


Q: What are the technical requirements to attend an online workshop?

 A: You will need:
  • a computer — one of: laptop/desktop/tablet. (You may not attend on a smartphone, and each participant must have their own individual device to participate)
  • the Zoom application installed onto your device
  • reliable internet connection (wired if possible)
  • webcam/microphone/speakers
  • two screens are recommended — one to attend the online class and the other for session handouts. You also have the option to print out handouts.
  You can find a full list of technical details for Zoom here.

Q: What are the workshop fees?

A: Fees vary from workshop to workshop. Please visit the individual workshop registration pages for Early Bird and regular fees.


Q: What materials do I receive?

Once certified, you will gain access to the following digital materials:

  • TalkAbility Making Hanen Happen Leaders Guide – This detailed guide includes all the information, handouts and checklists you need to lead the program.
  • TalkAbility program slides with embedded video clips – These downloadable resources include the presentation slides for all sessions of the program and include real-life video examples of parents using TalkAbility strategies.

 

Q: What are the workshop objectives?

A: Upon completion of the TalkAbility Advanced Workshop, SLP/Ts will be able to:

  • Lead TalkAbility™ – The Hanen Program® for Parents of Verbal Children on the Autism Spectrum.
  • Describe the structure, format and content of the TalkAbility program and how this program differs from More Than Words® – The Hanen Program® for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder or Social Communication Difficulties.
  • Define and identify children who meet the criteria for a TalkAbility program.
  • Describe current research on the development of social cognition and how this applies to children within a TalkAbility program.
  • Select appropriate social communication goals based on assessment of the child's social and communication skills.
  • Describe the TalkAbility strategies and how these strategies help children appropriate for TalkAbility achieve their social communication goals.
  • Review how to facilitate parents' learning of the TalkAbility strategies through use of the 4P Teaching-Learning Cycle.
  • Review and apply the video feedback learning process to facilitate parents' application of the TalkAbility strategies within everyday activities with their children.

Q: Do I become certified after attending this workshop?

A: Yes. Participants receive accreditation of their “Certified” status upon signing a Cooperative Agreement. Note that this agreement licenses SLPs to lead the in-person program, TalkAbility™ — The Hanen Program® for Parents of Verbal Children on the Autism Spectrum. Offering the program via telepractice requires an additional license. 

Note: Full attendance at all days of the workshop is required in order to receive your certification. To maintain their certification, SLPs must renew their Hanen membership annually.


Q: How many continuing education credits will I receive?

A: This workshop is offered for 1.35 ASHA CEUs (Advanced Level, Professional Area) or 13.5 professional development hours.




Q: What are the workshop instructor’s qualifications?

A: All Hanen workshops are led by a Hanen Instructor who has successfully completed in-depth training from The Hanen Centre on how to train other SLPs to lead Hanen Programs and implement the Hanen approach in clinical practice. In addition to leading Hanen Workshops for The Hanen Centre, all Hanen Instructors are SLPs who practice in a variety of settings, and lead Hanen Programs as part of the clinical services they offer in their respective places of employment.


Q: I may not have the opportunity to offer the TalkAbility Program to groups of families. Will the workshop still be useful to me?

A: Yes. While the workshop focuses on the delivery of the program, TalkAbility resources and strategies can be easily integrated into your daily work in the following ways:

  • Providing a framework for one-to-one therapy sessions for children with high-functioning autism with video examples so parents can see the strategies in action.
  • Goal-setting – Checklists included in the TalkAbility Making Hanen Happen Leaders Guide help clinicians set goals for each child based on their developmental stage.
  • Supplementing home programming by providing pictures and information about what’s being done in therapy.

Q: How can I find a TalkAbility workshop?

A: Visit the workshop schedule. If there are no workshops currently scheduled in your area, sign up for email notification so you’ll be informed as soon as a workshop becomes available.

If you have a group of colleagues interested in the TalkAbility workshop, contact us at [email protected], and we'll be happy to help organize a date and time that's convenient for your organization.


Q: I am not an SLP, but I am interested in TalkAbility strategies for myself or my organization. What can I do?