Hanen Approach Speech Therapy at BubbleBee Children Speech Services

Welcome to BubbleBee Children Speech Therapy, a speech therapy centre providing Hanen approach speech therapy for young children with communication and interaction difficulties.

The Hanen approach is a structured, evidence-based method that supports early communication and language development by empowering parents to take an active role in their child’s communication journey. Rather than focusing only on what happens during therapy sessions, this approach helps families learn how to support communication naturally throughout everyday routines.

At BubbleBee, Hanen-based intervention is delivered with warmth, clarity, and strong clinical reasoning, always adapted to the needs of the child and family.

What the Hanen Approach Is and Why It Matters

The Hanen approach is a family-centred practice developed by The Hanen Centre. It is widely used internationally and adopted by many leading speech therapy clinics in Singapore because of its strong evidence base and practical outcomes.

This approach advocates that:

Parents are the child’s most important communication partners
Everyday interactions are powerful opportunities for learning
Children learn language best in meaningful, natural environments

Instead of relying solely on clinic-based drills, the Hanen approach focuses on helping adults learn how to create responsive, engaging interactions that support communication development throughout the day.

Hanen Approach Speech Therapy - A Family-Centred Practice

In Hanen, therapy extends beyond the therapy room. Parents and caregivers learn specific strategies that can be used during play, meals, book-sharing, and daily routines.

This family-centred practice:

Supports communication in real-life contexts
Builds parents’ confidence and understanding
Encourages consistency across home and school
Reduces pressure on the child to “perform”

Hanen strategies support speech therapy by focusing on interaction, responsiveness, and shared attention rather than isolated language exercises.

Hanen Approach – Who It Is For?

Hanen approach is a well-known program designed for young children who have social communication difficulties, including children on the autism spectrum.

This program is suitable for:

Young children with delayed communication
Children who use few words or inconsistent language
Children who struggle with interaction, joint attention, or play
Families who want structured guidance to support communication

More Than Words is a parent-implemented program designed for caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders or other communication challenges.
Hanen It Takes Two to Talk for parents of children with Language Delays.
Hanen TalkAbility for parents of autistic children who are speaking in sentences and having conversations but struggle with social-pragmatic skills.

Hanen Approach Supports Communication Development

The Hanen approach helps parents:

Learn how to follow their child’s lead
Create opportunities for communication during everyday activities
Support early communication without pressure
Encourage interaction, turn-taking, and shared enjoyment

This structured, evidence-based method focuses on helping children develop the foundations for communication before expecting verbal language to emerge.

How the Hanen Approach Works in Practice

The Hanen approach is grounded in early childhood development and language learning theory. It recognises that children learn to communicate through repeated, meaningful interactions with responsive adults.

In practice, this approach:

Uses natural routines rather than artificial tasks
Emphasises quality of interaction over quantity of words
Supports both verbal and non-verbal communication
Encourages gradual development at the child’s pace

The natural environment is where communication happens most effectively, which is why Hanen-based therapy focuses on everyday moments.

Play-Based Intervention That Adopts Hanen Principles

Play-based intervention is central to the Hanen approach. Through play, children practise communication skills such as:

Turn-taking
Eye contact and shared attention
Gestures, sounds, and early words
Social engagement

Therapists guide parents on how to use play to support communication without turning it into a structured lesson.

Assessment and Therapy Planning

Before starting Hanen-based therapy, a comprehensive assessment is conducted. This helps determine whether the Hanen approach is appropriate and how it should be adapted.

Assessment focuses on:

Early communication skills
Interaction and play patterns
Language understanding and expression
Social engagement and attention
Family routines and priorities

This information forms the basis of a personalised therapy plan.

Tailoring the Hanen Approach to Each Child

Although Hanen programs follow a structured framework, therapy is always adapted to the individual child.

Therapy planning considers:

The child’s developmental stage
Strengths and challenges
Sensory and regulation needs
Family context and routines

This ensures therapy remains practical, respectful, and effective.

The Role of Parents in the Hanen Approach

A key feature of the Hanen approach empowers parents to take an active role in supporting communication.

Parents learn to:

Recognise communication opportunities
Respond in ways that encourage interaction
Adjust their communication style to match their child
Support language growth naturally

This active role helps families feel more confident and less dependent on weekly therapy sessions alone.

Coaching and Support During Hanen-Based Sessions

During sessions, therapists:

Observe parent-child interaction
Provide feedback and coaching
Model strategies where helpful
Help parents reflect on what works

This collaborative process supports long-term communication development.

Hanen Certified Speech Pathologists and Clinical Expertise

At BubbleBee, Hanen-based intervention is guided by Ms. Agnieszka Debowska, Senior Speech-Language Therapist.

She is:

Hanen certified in: ITTT (It Takes Two to Talk), MW (More Than Words), TA (TalkAbility)
Experienced in early communication and language therapy
Skilled in family-centred practice

Her clinical approach ensures that Hanen strategies are applied thoughtfully and ethically, always prioritising the child’s wellbeing and development.

How Hanen Approach Speech Therapy Supports Long-Term Development

Hanen-based therapy supports more than early words. It builds skills that underpin long-term communication and learning, including:

Interaction and social engagement
Early literacy foundations
Attention and listening skills
Emotional regulation through communication

By supporting these foundations early, children are better prepared for later language and learning demands.

Hanen Approach and Other Developmental Frameworks

The Hanen approach aligns well with other developmental frameworks such as DIR/Floortime. Both emphasise:

Following the child’s lead
Building interaction and connection
Supporting communication within relationships

When appropriate, therapists may integrate principles from multiple approaches to best support the child.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hanen Approach Speech Therapy?

Hanen approach speech therapy is a family-centred, evidence-based method that supports early communication and language development by coaching parents to use everyday interactions as learning opportunities.

What is Hanen More Than Words used for?

Hanen More Than Words supports young children with social communication difficulties, including children with autism, by helping parents build interaction and communication during daily routines.

Do parents need to attend all Hanen sessions?

Yes. Parent participation is essential because the approach focuses on empowering caregivers to support communication throughout the day.

Is the Hanen approach suitable for all children with speech delay?

The Hanen approach is most suitable for young children with early communication and interaction needs. An assessment helps determine whether it is the best fit.

How long does Hanen-based therapy usually take?

Duration varies depending on the child’s needs and family goals. Progress is reviewed regularly, and therapy plans are adjusted accordingly.

Start Hanen Approach Speech Therapy With Confidence

If you are exploring Hanen approach speech therapy for your child, BubbleBee Children Speech Therapy offers clear assessment, structured guidance, and compassionate support.

We work closely with families to support meaningful communication growth that fits naturally into everyday life.

Contact us to learn more or to schedule an assessment.

5.0 8 reviews

Gregory Zdaniuk ★★★★★ 5 months ago
Mrs Agnieszka is a very professional speech therapist. She has worked with our child for several years with clear results. Her holistic approach to speech is very effective. Where others only focused on … More sounds, Mrs Agnieszka looked deeper and focused on the mental component of speech with tailored (and fun) exercises aimed at root causes. I wholeheartedly recommend her practice.
Carmen Tang ★★★★★ a year ago
I’m so grateful that we chose Agnes as my son’s speech therapist. My son has ASD and non-verbal. Before we started speech therapy, he was lack of playing skills, eye contact, joint attention and many … More other problems. Agnes mentioned that all of these fundamental skills are crucial in order to build meaningful speech. After years of consistent training, my son now has shown a significant improvement in engagement, play skills and self- regulation. With all of these in place, my son can now say and copy words that are spoken to him. My son really enjoyed playing and learning at Agnes’s therapy. Agnes is very professional, skillful, kind and patient. The techniques and tips that she has given me were all practical and valuable in order to incorporate the same methods at home. Overall, I highly recommend Agnes’s speech therapy. She did an amazing job helping my son to build his speech.
leng huang ★★★★★ a year ago
We are grateful to have found Agnes! She has been an invaluable partner on our journey to support our son’s communication development.
Agnes is a very experience speech therapist and especially good with … More young children. Her floor time , play—based / child - led approach is holistic and made sessions fun and engaging for our son. What impressed us most is her ability to connect with our son, making him feel comfortable and confident , which in turn helped him open - up / express himself. Through these sessions, she is able to provide valuable insights to us parents on how best to support and enhance our son’s communication skills.
Liang Liu ★★★★★ a year ago
My son has been seeing Agnes since 2 years old. I still recall the day that he spoke out load and clear for the 1st in his life in Agnes's therapy. Agnes therapy really helped him expand his interest … More and improved his ideation, which helped him to express himself much better and build up his confidence. Along the way I also get to know the reason behind certain behavior of my son and am now able to guide him better at home. Really appreciate it!
Cuppa Tea ★★★★★ a year ago
Agnes is a very experienced speech therapist.
(1) She has been able to help us understand more about our daughter's condition, and how through play can help her improve her communication.
(2) She … More has been teaching us parents how to communicate with our daughter. An important factor in communication is not to assume for the child or order the child to do this/that. This has been a mistake for many parents or even therapists. It is important to listen to the child who would communicate via non verbal cues or verbally. Let the child lead from there.
(3) She has the ability to understand children and their intentions. This is crucial in building confidence in our daughter since she has little confidence. Once she knows that we are there to try to understand her, she will be more willing to continue to communicate with us.
It has not been easy for us to find a suitable therapist who could engage our daughter as we have been through a few therapists.
To all the parents reading this: May you be able to find one who can help you and your child.
Chia Ming Lim ★★★★★ a year ago
Agnes is a seasoned and dedicated speech therapist who is able to empower parents like us to guide in speech development and see significant breakthroughs in our child's communication skills.