What is Makaton and who uses it ?

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• Makaton is a method of communication using signs and symbols and is often used as a means of communication for those with learning difficulties. Makaton is internationally recognised and is used in more than 40 countries. Makaton is a very simple language based on a list of simple everyday words, which uses speech, gesture, facial expression, body language, signs, symbols and words to aid communication.

  Makaton was first developed by identifying the words that are used most frequently in everyday conversation. After this, signs from British Sign Language ("BSL") were matched to these words, so that a person is able to speak and sign at the same time. Makaton users are first encouraged to communicate using signs but then as a link is made between the word and the sign, the signs can be dropped and the speech is allowed to take over.

  Makaton symbols support the written word in the same way that signs support speech. Most Makaton symbols are black and white pictures illustrating the meaning of the word. This has significantly helped children and adults who cannot read or write who can now have messages, shopping lists or even stories written in symbols.

  WHO USES MAKATON?

  Makaton is used mostly by adults and children with learning difficulties who need it as their primary means of communication. However everyone around them will need to learn to use it too, such as parents, teachers, friends and professionals.

• its sign language used by deaf people

  Makaton is a language programme using signs and symbols to help people communicate. It is designed to support spoken language and the signs and symbols are used with speech in spoken word order.

  People with learning disabilities or communication difficulties may struggle to make themselves understood - and to understand others. This can provoke intense frustration, challenging behaviour and isolation, and act as a barrier to achievement.

  Parents and carers can experience similar feelings of frustration and isolation, wondering how they will ever 'get through'.

  Makaton takes away that frustration and enables individuals to connect with other people and the world around them. This opens up all kinds of possibilities.

  With Makaton, children and adults can communicate straight away using the signs and symbols. For those who have experienced the frustration of being unable to communicate meaningfully or effectively, Makaton can be a revelation and a bridge to greater confidence and self-esteem.

  Many people then drop the signs or symbols naturally at their own pace, as they develop speech. Makaton is highly flexible as it can be personalised to the individual's needs and used at a level suitable for them. It can be used to:

  share thoughts, choices and emotions

  label real objects, pictures, photos and places

  take part in games and songs

  listen to, read and tell stories

  create recipes, menus, shopping lists

  write letters and messages

  help people find their way around public buildings

  Today over 100,000 children and adults use Makaton symbols and signs, either as their main method of communication or as a way to support speech.

  http://www.makaton.org/about/about.htm

• Makaton is a system of communication that uses a vocabulary of "key word" manual signs and gestures to support speech, as well as graphic symbols to support the written word. It is used by and with people who have communication, language or learning difficulties. This includes people with articulation problems (for example, people with cerebral palsy), people with cognitive impairments which might be associated with conditions such as autism or Down syndrome, and their families, colleagues and carers. It can be used to help the development of speech and language in children, or by adults as a means of functional communication for every day use. It has also proved useful for toddlers who can learn to use signs before they have mastered speech. This reduces the likelihood of temper tantrums. The sooner a child is taught Makaton, the more likely they are to gain fluency. This may explain why children with Down Syndrome get the most out of Makaton, as they can be diagnosed very early.Makaton was developed in the early 1970s in the UK for communication with residents of St George's Hospital who were both deaf and intellectually disabled. The name is a blend of the names of the three people who devised it: Margaret Walker, Kathy Johnston and Tony Cornforth.

• Makaton Communication

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  I have lived here all my life and had never heard of it, and had to look it up on Google, to find out what it is. If you had called it sign language, I would have known what you meant, right away. I have no idea if this system is used here. I think that American sign language is more commonly used in Canada. Why no do a Goggle search, and ask " Is makaton used in Canada ? Jim B Toronto.

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  What is Makaton and who uses it ?

  I was just wondering what is makaton all i know is it helps people to learn but what sort of people and what does it involve and also what situations would it be used in and if possible give me two examples in the health care sector which it could be used..any answers appreciated 🙂

• What Is Makaton