Makaton

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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.

Communication using Makaton involves speaking (when possible) while concurrently signing key words. The sign vocabulary is taken from the local deaf sign language (with some additional 'natural gestures'), beginning with a 'core' list of important words. However, the grammar generally follows the spoken language rather than the sign language. Makaton does make limited use of the spatial grammatical features of directionality and placement of signs. As Makaton is used in over 40 countries worldwide, Makaton Keyword Signing varies from country to country and can even vary within each country.

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 is run by The Makaton Charity which controls the copyright to Makaton and depends on the associated income for its funding. This restricts the use of Makaton pictograms to licensed educational programs and home use.

When teaching Makaton, you must ensure the person can see your hands and that you teach signs relevant to the person, rather than always working through the stages. Nouns like 'toilet' should be taught before non-practical signs e.g. please, hello, goodbye etc. You must always say the word while signing or the pupil won't see the need to use it.

One of the key differences between Makaton and deaf sign language is that there is no use of facial expressions. This is why there are signs for 'yes' and 'no' rather than just nodding and shaking heads. Many people with cognitive disabilities find faces confusing, even frightening, because they change expression so rapidly. Therefore, Makaton tutors should keep their faces blank or permanently smiling.

[edit] Makaton and autism

There is only limited evidence to show that communication with autistic children is significantly enhanced by acquisition of sign. Studies indicate that the communication problems of generalization and maintenance are similar to those in verbal training programs. Signing of children with autism is similar to their use of language: it is stereotyped and used mainly to achieve immediate needs, and is rarely used to share experiences or feelings.^[1]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official site

[Something Special cbeebies programme to teach all ages makaton]