What is Hanen More Than Words®?

More Than Words® is a Hanen Centre program developed for parents of autistic children (and children who may benefit from support in social communication). It focuses on helping parents:

• understand their child’s communication

• identify what motivates communication

• build longer, more meaningful interactions

• use strategies that fit everyday routines and play

The Hanen Centre describes the program as parent training delivered by a Hanen-trained Speech-Language Pathologist, with a focus on learning strategies you can use in daily life.

Who may benefit?

More Than Words-style support may suit families where a child:

• is working on social communication (connection, shared attention, interaction)

• is using emerging spoken language or needs support building functional communication

• benefits from parent/carer coaching and consistent strategies at home

• has support needs across routines (play, meals, bath time, getting ready, community outings)

During intake, we’ll discuss your child’s strengths, needs, and goals to determine whether this approach is the best fit, or whether a different therapy pathway would be more suitable.

How Palms delivers this support

Depending on your child and goals, Palms may offer:

• parent coaching sessions aligned to More Than Words principles

• goal-setting based on your child’s communication profile

• practical strategies to support interaction, turn-taking, and engagement

• support to create communication opportunities in everyday routines

• guidance for childcare/kindy collaboration where appropriate (with consent)

• progress reviews and strategy updates

Some families prefer clinic sessions, while others benefit from coaching in the home environment or via telehealth (where clinically appropriate).

What to expect

Your first session typically includes:

• a detailed intake about your child’s communication and routines

• identification of goals that matter to your family

• practical strategies you can start using immediately

• a plan for how coaching will be delivered (frequency, format, next steps)

We keep the focus on realistic strategies that your family can use consistently—without adding stress or unrealistic expectations.

Funding & referrals

We welcome a range of funding pathways and can help you understand the best option for your situation.

We see clients using:

Private (self-funded)

NDIS (self-managed and plan-managed)

Aged Care / Home Care Packages

Medicare (where eligible, with a GP referral)

DVA (eligible veterans)

Other funding pathways (e.g., insurers or schemes, where applicable)

Where clinically appropriate, we can provide supporting documentation to inform service planning and care coordination.

Book an Assessment with a Speech Pathologist

If you or someone you care for is showing signs of swallowing and mealtime difficulty, our Speech Pathology team can help assess swallowing concerns and provide practical guidance around safer eating and drinking.

Contact Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health to ask about our therapy and assessments in Perth for adults and children.

Hanen More Than Words FAQ

Is More Than Words a therapy program for my child, or coaching for parents?
It’s primarily a parent coaching approach—parents/carers learn strategies to support social communication during everyday life.

Do you run the full group program?
We can offer support aligned with More Than Words principles and parent coaching. Availability of group-style delivery depends on scheduling and demand—contact us and we’ll advise what’s currently offered.

Is it only for autistic children?
The program was designed for autistic children, and may also be helpful for children who benefit from social communication support. Suitability depends on the individual child and goals.

Can this be delivered by telehealth?
Often yes—parent coaching can work very well via telehealth. We’ll guide you on what’s best based on your child’s needs and your family routines.

What age is it best suited to?
More Than Words is typically used with younger children and families. We can discuss whether it’s a fit for your child during intake.

Speech Therapy Services in Perth for Children & Adults

Speech Therapy (also called Speech Pathology) focuses on assessing, diagnosing, and treating communication and swallowing difficulties. At Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health, our speech pathologists support children, teens, and adults to improve speech clarity, language skills, social communication, voice and fluency and swallowing safety.

How Can Speech Therapy Help You?

Speech therapy can help with a wide range of concerns, including:

• Speech delays in children: Supporting speech sound development, clarity, and age-appropriate communication.

• Speech sound disorders: Including articulation (sound production) and phonological (sound patterns) difficulties.

•  Language disorders: Helping with both receptive language (understanding) and expressive language (using words and sentences).

• Swallowing and feeding difficulties (dysphagia): Supporting people who have difficulty swallowing safely due to conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, or neurological conditions.

• Social communication differences: Supporting conversational skills, turn-taking, perspective-taking, and understanding non-verbal communication.

•  Stuttering and fluency disorders: Helping clients manage fluency, reduce effort/tension, and build confidence in communication.

Speech Therapy Services We Provide

Paediatric Speech Therapy

• Paediatric speech therapy supports children with speech, language, communication, and early literacy needs using evidence-based and child-friendly approaches. Sessions may be play-based (especially for younger children), while still being structured and goal-directed.

• Common areas we support include:

  1. Speech sound development (clarity and intelligibility)

  2. Language delays and developmental language disorder

  3. Social communication support

  4. AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) where appropriate

  5. Early literacy foundations (e.g., phonological awareness)

Adult Speech Therapy

• Adult speech therapy supports adults with communication and swallowing needs related to neurological conditions, injury, medical events, or age-related changes. Therapy is practical, functional, and designed around everyday participation (home, work, community).

• Common areas we support include:

  1. Communication changes after stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or neurological illness

  2. Dysarthria and motor speech changes

  3. Cognitive-communication difficulties (attention, memory, organisation impacting communication)

  4. Voice therapy where indicated

  5. Dysphagia support and mealtime strategies

NDIS Speech Therapy Services

• NDIS speech therapy is available for self-managed and plan-managed participants. Therapy may focus on functional communication goals, speech clarity, social interaction and participation, and AAC support where required. We collaborate with participants, families, support coordinators, schools, and relevant providers to support practical, meaningful outcomes.

Speech Therapy for Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia)

• Dysphagia (swallowing) support helps when swallowing difficulties affect hydration, nutrition, safety and confidence with eating and drinking. Our speech pathologists can complete clinical assessments (as appropriate), provide strategies for safer swallowing, recommend targeted exercises when indicated, and support shared-care referral pathways with GPs/ENT/medical teams when needed.

• Why Choose Palms Physiotherapy & Allied Health for Speech Therapy?

• Experienced Speech Pathologists: Skilled in paediatric and adult communication and swallowing support.

• NDIS Provider (self- and plan-managed): Therapy is aligned to participant goals and everyday function.

• Family-Centred Approach: We involve parents, carers, and supports where appropriate so strategies carry over into real life.

• Collaborative, Multidisciplinary Care: We work alongside our broader allied health team when integrated support is beneficial.

Sensory Room and Kids Therapy Gym

• Our sensory room and kids therapy gym can support therapy goals through a motivating, functional environment—particularly helpful for children who benefit from movement-based learning and sensory regulation strategies. These spaces may be used when clinically relevant to support engagement, attention, participation, and goal progress.

Locations

• We offer speech pathology services in Perth, including our Malaga and Noranda clinics.

Who can benefit?

Feeding & Swallowing assessments and plans may help:

Children with feeding challenges, sensory-based preferences, limited food range, or mealtime distress

Adults with swallowing difficulties (dysphagia), neurological conditions, or post-illness deconditioning

Older adults experiencing coughing/choking risk, fatigue, reduced appetite, or swallowing changes

People with disability who need consistent, safe mealtime strategies across settings

Signs you should seek urgent medical advice

Please seek urgent medical review if you notice any new or worsening:

frequent coughing/choking during meals or drinks

wet/gurgly voice after swallowing

recurrent chest infections or suspected aspiration

significant weight loss, dehydration, or inability to maintain intake

sudden change in swallow function, weakness, or breathing issues

In an emergency - pelase call 000.

Note: This page is general information only and does not replace medical advice. If you have urgent swallowing concerns, seek medical review.