Supporting Communication Through the More Than Words Programme

Amanda Bekker
60 minutes ago
2 min read

Helping a child find their voice is a journey that many parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or social communication difficulties navigate daily. To support this process, a free online orientation session for the More Than Words programme is set to take place on Friday, 13 March 2026.

The session is hosted by the Centre for Health and Human Performance (CHHP) and presented by Linique Hanekom, a Hanen-certified speech-language therapist.

A Practical Approach for Parents

The More Than Words programme, originally developed by the Hanen Centre, is built on the idea that parents are the most influential teachers in a child’s life. Rather than relying solely on clinical sessions, the programme focuses on giving parents practical tools to use during everyday routines, like mealtime, play, or getting ready for bed.

By turning these familiar moments into opportunities for connection, the programme aims to help children improve their social communication and play skills in a natural environment.

What the Training Covers

The upcoming orientation session serves as an introduction for those interested in the full training. The programme itself covers several key areas of development, including:

Understanding a child’s current communication stage and identifying the next steps.
Learning how to use a child’s preferences and motivations to encourage interaction.
Strategies to help children understand what is being said to them.
Developing play skills and fostering the ability to make friends.

Joining the Online Session

The orientation is free of charge and will be conducted online, making it accessible for parents to join from home. It is designed as an information-sharing platform where the therapist will explain the programme's structure and how it can benefit local families.

Event Details: