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The Hanen More Than Words program teaches parents of autistic children under 5 strategies to promote communication. Learn about evidence, access, and cost in Ontario.
Direct answer
Hanen More Than Words is an evidence-based parent training program designed for caregivers of children under 5 with autism or social communication difficulties. Developed by the Hanen Centre in Toronto, the program runs 8 small-group sessions plus 3 individual video coaching sessions with a Hanen SLP. Research by Carter et al. (2011) studied its effect on parent responsiveness and child communication. In Ontario, More Than Words is offered through children's treatment centres and private SLPs; ask each provider about fees.
Why Timing Matters
Clinical research (American Academy of Pediatrics; Hyman et al., Pediatrics 2020) identifies birth to age six as the peak neuroplasticity window for autism intervention. Ontario's reported minimum wait is 5+ years for families registered in August 2021 (community-reported, Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026).
Registered at age 3. Services begin at age 8, after 5+ years for families registered in August 2021 (community-reported, Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026), most of it inside the intervention window.
| Measure | Age range |
|---|---|
| Early-intervention window (AAP) | Birth to age 6 |
| Example wait using the OAC-reported minimum (registered age 3) | Age 3 to age 8 (5 years) |
| Age when services begin in this example | Past age 6 |
✓ Intervention before 6
Research shows 2× greater gains in cognitive and adaptive functioning. Some children lose their diagnosis entirely. The brain's plasticity makes early therapy dramatically more effective.
◌ Intervention after 6
Reduced neuroplasticity means slower progress, higher lifetime costs, and poorer outcomes. Every year of delay narrows the range of achievable milestones. Ontario's waitlist guarantees this for most families.
Of the 71,263 children on the unfunded backlog, the majority were registered between ages 2 and 4. At the current pace, most will age past 6 before receiving any core funding , missing the window that the American Academy of Pediatrics and every major autism research body identifies as critical.
SourceAmerican Academy of Pediatrics (Hyman et al., Pediatrics 2020) · Ontario MCCSS OAP data via FOI · Wait: 5+ years for families registered in August 2021 (community-reported, Ontario Autism Coalition, July 2026).
About This Article
Published:
| Program detail | Page record | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Program length | 8 group + 3 individual sessions | Hanen Centre |
| Target age | Under 5 years | Source not specified for this page record |
| Cost | Ask each provider | Source not specified for this page record |
| Evidence | RCT-studied | Carter et al. 2011 |
The Hanen Centre and More Than Words are two different things, and the names get used as if they were one. The Hanen Centre is the organization. More Than Words is one of its programs.
The Hanen Centre is headquartered in Toronto. It developed More Than Words, and it trains and certifies speech-language pathologists across Ontario to deliver it. When a program is described as Hanen-certified, that refers to the training the SLP holds, not to a different program.
This matters when you are looking for a spot. You do not contact the Hanen Centre for therapy. You use its provider directory at hanen.org to find a certified speech-language pathologist near you, then contact that provider - most often a children's treatment centre, an EarlyON Child and Family Centre, a Preschool Speech and Language Program, or a private SLP practice.
It also matters for the coaching part of the program. The individual video coaching visits are delivered by a Hanen-certified SLP, who films you and your child interacting and then gives you feedback on what you did. That certification is what makes the feedback consistent with the program.
More Than Words teaches parents research-based strategies to help their young autistic child communicate. The program covers: understanding how children communicate, creating communication opportunities, following the child's lead, using visual supports, and promoting social interaction during daily routines. Parents learn to identify their child's communication stage and adjust their interaction style accordingly.
The program uses a combination of group sessions (where parents learn strategies through discussion, video examples, and practice) and individual coaching visits (where a Hanen-certified SLP films the parent and child interacting, then provides personalized feedback). This blended format ensures strategies are tailored to each family's situation.
The Hanen Centre, headquartered in Toronto, trains SLPs across Ontario to deliver More Than Words. Programs are available through: children's treatment centres (often free or low-cost), EarlyON Child and Family Centres, Preschool Speech and Language Programs, and private SLP practices. Wait times vary by provider, so ask about the next start date.
More Than Words is complementary to clinical therapies. Many families participate in Hanen programs while on the OAP core clinical waitlist, as the strategies immediately improve daily communication. The program may also be offered as an OAP foundational service in some regions. Contact your local children's treatment centre or Preschool Speech and Language Program to find upcoming sessions.
It has been studied in a randomized controlled trial. Carter et al. (2011) tested More Than Words with toddlers with autism and their parents, looking at parent responsiveness and child communication.
More Than Words is a parent education program focused on communication strategies during natural interactions. ABA is a clinical therapy with structured teaching methods and data-driven goals. They complement each other well - Hanen builds a responsive communication environment at home, while ABA targets specific skill development.
Contact the Hanen Centre website (hanen.org) to find certified providers near you. Children's treatment centres, Preschool Speech and Language Programs, and private SLP practices across Ontario offer the program. Some regions offer it free through publicly funded programs.
Research
Carter et al. (2011), "A Randomized Controlled Trial of Hanen's More Than Words in Toddlers with ASD," Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 52(7), 741-752
More Than Words: eight small-group sessions led by a Hanen SLP, plus three personalised video feedback sessions
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OAP Foundational Family Services include free parent coaching while you wait for funded Core Clinical Services.
The OAP offers caregiver-mediated early years programs, a separate stream from foundational family services, for families with autistic children aged 12 to 48 months. Learn eligibility, what to expect, and how to access this program.
Overview of SLP approaches for autism: traditional articulation, AAC, social pragmatic, and PROMPT. Learn OAP coverage, costs, and how to choose.
Guide to NDBIs including ESDM, JASPER, and PRT for autistic children in Ontario. Covers evidence base, how NDBIs differ from discrete trial ABA, and OAP coverage.
Commitment to Accuracy: Our data is verified against official government reports (FAO, MCCSS), peer-reviewed scientific literature, and accessible public records. Last updated: September 28, 2026.
How many children are on the Ontario autism waitlist in 2026?
As of May 13, 2026, 91,974 children are registered with the Ontario Autism Program. However, only 20,711 (22.5%) have an active Core Funding Agreement. This represents ~300% growth in registrations since 2019, with 71,263 children still waiting for essential funding.
Source: MCCSS FOI via OAC · May 2026 · Open source record
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