Therapy Strategy - The Four S's

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Hanen’s More Than Words program puts forth many helpful strategies for clinicians and parents to implement. Two of which are OWL and ROCK (click here to read my post on them). Another strategy I find useful is called “The Four S’s”. This approach adjusts how you talk to children to help them learn language. 

1.     Say Less

• Simplify what you say

• User short, clear labels and sentences

2.     Stress

• Exaggerate key words

• Put key words at the end of your sentences 

• Use FUN words 

3.     Go Slow

• Pause between words and phrases

• Be natural 

4.     Show 

• Show with:

  • Real objects 

  • Actions and gestures 

  • Pictures

  • Printed word

-S

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References

Sussman, F. (2012). More than words: A guide to building interaction and language skills for children with autism spectrum disorder or social communication difficulties. Toronto: Hanen Centre.