MAKATON The Makaton Language Programme The Makaton Charity

MAKATON The Makaton Language Programme © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop

What is Makaton? 1. 1 A unique language programme which may be used as: • a systematic multi-modal approach for the teaching of: • communication skills, • language skills and • literacy skills • a source of highly functional vocabulary for: • the person with communication needs, and • their interactive partners © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop

1. 2 Essential Features of Makaton • Core Vocabulary (450 concepts) • Resource Vocabulary (11000+ concepts) • Used with speech, signs and/ or symbols • Flexible teaching methods © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop

Core Vocabulary 1. 3 b • 450 words/ concepts • functional • everyday communication • high frequency • organised in stages • personalised • basic level is grammar-free © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop

Resource Vocabulary 1. 4 • 11, 000+ words/ concepts • topic based • expands Core Vocabulary to meet individual need © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop

Children and Adults 1. 6 with difficulties such as: • poor attention and listening • understanding speech • understanding what will happen next • developing speech • making themselves understood • telling people • what they want • how they feel • what they are thinking • their choices and preferences • learning to read and write © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop

Communication Needs Associated 1. 7 With: • profound, severe, moderate or mild learning difficulties • autistic spectrum disorders • profound-severe physical impairment • sensory impairments • specific language disorders © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop

Who Uses Makaton? 1. 5 b • Children and adults with a broad range of communication needs • Interactors of all kinds: parents, carers, professionals, friends • Education and Service Providers for translation of information to increase user access © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop

Aims of Using Makaton 1. 8 • for basic communication • to help understanding • to develop language skills • to facilitate social interaction • to help build relationships • to increase equal opportunities • to teach pre-reading and prewriting skills towards literacy © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop

® 3. 1 a Symbols in General Use © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop

® 3. 1 b Symbols in General Use © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop

® 3. 2 a Makaton Symbols © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop

® 3. 2 b Makaton Symbols © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop

® © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop

® Makaton Overseas Makaton is used in over 40 countries including Kuwait New Zealand Greece France Australia South Africa Germany Poland Japan Switzerland Russia India © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop

® Questions commonly asked about Makaton © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop

® • Will using Makaton stop someone from talking? • Do you have to teach the stages precisely. And why is the vocabulary presented in stages? • What problems are helped by using Makaton signs and symbols? • What are the main aims of using Makaton? © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop

® • Do we sign every word that is spoken? • How precise do the signs have to be? © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop

® • How long would you keep working with a student before giving up? • Can you use a mixture of signs and symbols? • Would you use signs with someone who mainly uses symbols to communicate? • Why does everyone need to know all the signs? © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop

® Where can I find the signs? www. makaton. org - resources My. Choice. Pad Pro Facebook: makaton (lower case typed page) Mr Tumble! ME! © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop

® www. makaton. org Sadie Ayres - Lead for Communication and Interaction The Forest School 01423 864583 ayress@forest. n-yorks. sch. uk Makaton Regional Tutor: No. R 1537 © The Makaton Charity 2010 Makaton® Foundation Workshop