What age range is the It Takes Two to Talk program designed for?

The program is designed for children between 12 months and 4 years old who have a language delay or are considered late talkers. This early window is a critical period for language development. By equipping caregivers with the right tools during these years, the program helps children build communication skills during the everyday moments that happen naturally at home, from meals to playtime to getting dressed in the morning.

Do parents attend the sessions, or does the child work with a therapist directly?

Parents and caregivers are the central focus of this program. It Takes Two to Talk is a parent coaching model, which means caregivers attend the group sessions and learn strategies directly from a Hanen certified speech-language pathologist. Children are involved in the video feedback portions, but the primary goal is to train and support the adults in the child's life. This approach works because parents spend far more time with their child than any therapist can, so building caregiver skills creates more opportunities for language growth throughout the week.

How does the Hanen approach differ from traditional speech therapy?

Traditional speech therapy typically involves a child working one-on-one with a clinician during scheduled sessions. The Hanen It Takes Two to Talk program shifts the model so that parents become the primary agents of change. Rather than relying solely on in-clinic time, caregivers learn to use everyday routines like bath time, snack time, or a trip to the grocery store as natural language-building opportunities. Video feedback is also a key component, giving parents a chance to review their own interactions and make meaningful adjustments with guidance from a certified clinician.

What kinds of strategies will I learn in the program?

The program teaches caregivers practical, research-based communication strategies that can be used throughout the day. These include following your child's lead during play, using deliberate wait time to give your child space to respond, offering choices to prompt language, and narrating what your child is doing to build vocabulary. You will also learn how to recognize and respond to your child's communication attempts, whether those are words, gestures, sounds, or facial expressions, and how to gently expand on what your child says to build their sentences over time.

Is King Speech Therapy Services in-network with insurance for this program?

King Speech Therapy Services is in-network with several PPO insurance plans, including Cigna, Blue Shield, Anthem, HealthNet, and Aetna. If your plan is out of network, the clinic can provide a Superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. A prompt pay rate option is also available. It is always a good idea to contact your insurance provider directly to confirm your specific benefits for speech therapy or early intervention programs before getting started.

Can families outside of Upland access this program through teletherapy?

Yes, teletherapy is available for families who are not able to come to the clinic in person. The clinic serves families throughout the Inland Empire, including Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Fontana, Claremont, Victorville, and Apple Valley. Teletherapy can be a practical option for caregivers in more distant areas of the region who want access to specialized parent coaching speech therapy without the added travel time. Reach out to the clinic to discuss which format works best for your family's situation.

It Takes Two to Talk Program

It Takes Two to Talk is a structured, evidence-based program developed by the Hanen Centre. It is built on a simple but powerful idea: parents are a child's most important communication partner. When caregivers learn how to follow their child's lead, respond to their cues, and build on their attempts to communicate, language development accelerates in a meaningful way. The program is designed for children between 12 months and 4 years old who are late talkers or showing signs of a language delay. Rather than placing all the work inside the therapy room, this approach equips parents with practical strategies they can weave into daily routines, whether that is bath time, snack time, or a walk around the neighborhood. Victoria is a Hanen certified speech-language pathologist, meaning she has completed the specialized training required to deliver this program with fidelity and clinical precision.

The It Takes Two to Talk program unfolds through a series of interactive group sessions led by a Hanen certified speech therapist. One of the most valuable components is video feedback. Caregivers are recorded during interactions with their child, and those clips are reviewed together to highlight what is working and where small adjustments can make a big difference. Sessions focus on teaching parents how to observe their child's communication style, create opportunities for back-and-forth interaction, and use everyday moments to build vocabulary and sentence structure. You will learn strategies like waiting with a purpose, offering choices, and narrating what your child is doing during play. These are not complicated clinical techniques; they are practical tools that fit naturally into the routines your family already has. Because children spend far more time at home than in a therapy session, parent coaching speech therapy like this can multiply the impact of clinical care many times over.

This program is a strong fit for families in Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Claremont, and across the Inland Empire whose toddlers or preschoolers are showing signs of a language delay. Common indicators include limited words or vocalizations for their age, difficulty expressing needs without frustration, relying on gestures rather than words, or inconsistent attempts to communicate. If your child is between 12 months and 4 years old and you find yourself wondering "Why isn't my child talking yet?" or "Am I doing enough?", this program was built for exactly that moment. It is also a meaningful fit for caregivers who want to feel confident and equipped, not just informed. Many parents leave the program with a clearer picture of how their child communicates and a real sense of what to do next. You do not need to have all the answers before starting; you just need to be ready to show up and learn alongside your child.

Victoria King Erb founded King Speech Therapy Services in May 2020 and has spent years building a practice that centers the family, not just the child. Her Hanen certification is one of several specialized credentials she holds, alongside training in the SOS Approach to Feeding, Dynamic Temporal and Tactile Cueing (DTTC), and Feed the Peds. She also brings six years of school-based experience that shapes how she thinks about the whole child and the family system around them. The clinic serves families throughout the Inland Empire, including Fontana, Victorville, Apple Valley, and Rancho Cucamonga. Teletherapy is also available for families who need flexibility. King Speech Therapy Services is in-network with several PPO plans, including Cigna, Blue Shield, Anthem, HealthNet, and Aetna, and Superbills are available for out-of-network families.

What age range is the It Takes Two to Talk program designed for?
The program is designed for children between 12 months and 4 years old who have a language delay or are considered late talkers. This early window is a critical period for language development. By equipping caregivers with the right tools during these years, the program helps children build communication skills during the everyday moments that happen naturally at home, from meals to playtime to getting dressed in the morning.
Do parents attend the sessions, or does the child work with a therapist directly?
Parents and caregivers are the central focus of this program. It Takes Two to Talk is a parent coaching model, which means caregivers attend the group sessions and learn strategies directly from a Hanen certified speech-language pathologist. Children are involved in the video feedback portions, but the primary goal is to train and support the adults in the child's life. This approach works because parents spend far more time with their child than any therapist can, so building caregiver skills creates more opportunities for language growth throughout the week.
How does the Hanen approach differ from traditional speech therapy?
Traditional speech therapy typically involves a child working one-on-one with a clinician during scheduled sessions. The Hanen It Takes Two to Talk program shifts the model so that parents become the primary agents of change. Rather than relying solely on in-clinic time, caregivers learn to use everyday routines like bath time, snack time, or a trip to the grocery store as natural language-building opportunities. Video feedback is also a key component, giving parents a chance to review their own interactions and make meaningful adjustments with guidance from a certified clinician.
What kinds of strategies will I learn in the program?
The program teaches caregivers practical, research-based communication strategies that can be used throughout the day. These include following your child's lead during play, using deliberate wait time to give your child space to respond, offering choices to prompt language, and narrating what your child is doing to build vocabulary. You will also learn how to recognize and respond to your child's communication attempts, whether those are words, gestures, sounds, or facial expressions, and how to gently expand on what your child says to build their sentences over time.
How do I know if my toddler qualifies for this program?
Children who may benefit typically show signs such as limited words or vocalizations for their age, difficulty communicating needs without frustration, relying heavily on pointing or pulling rather than using words, or inconsistent attempts to communicate. If your child is between 12 months and 4 years old and you have concerns about their language development, reaching out to a Hanen certified speech-language pathologist is a good first step. A clinical evaluation can help determine whether this program or another service is the best fit for your child's specific needs.
Is King Speech Therapy Services in-network with insurance for this program?
King Speech Therapy Services is in-network with several PPO insurance plans, including Cigna, Blue Shield, Anthem, HealthNet, and Aetna. If your plan is out of network, the clinic can provide a Superbill that you may submit to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. A prompt pay rate option is also available. It is always a good idea to contact your insurance provider directly to confirm your specific benefits for speech therapy or early intervention programs before getting started.
Can families outside of Upland access this program through teletherapy?
Yes, teletherapy is available for families who are not able to come to the clinic in person. The clinic serves families throughout the Inland Empire, including Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Fontana, Claremont, Victorville, and Apple Valley. Teletherapy can be a practical option for caregivers in more distant areas of the region who want access to specialized parent coaching speech therapy without the added travel time. Reach out to the clinic to discuss which format works best for your family's situation.