Makaton

[xmalteserx]

Hello I am interested in finding out about more about Makaton.

My questions are:

What are your thoughts/experiences of Makaton?
What do you think the advantages/disadvantages of using Makaton are?
Did it help communication and speech development?
Were you worried it would hinder speech development?
Why did you use this over other sign systems and communication aids?

Sorry for all the questions. Any help will be greatly appreciated

Looks like for research purposes- if it is, this post needs to clearly state that.

I look after 2 boys with autism and their parents were wondering about whether to start using Makaton.
I am also doing a degree in Special Education and was just interested in what people thought of it in case I chose to do it for my dissertation next year.

Sorry

What are your thoughts/experiences of Makaton? it has enabled my son to communicate.
What do you think the advantages/disadvantages of using Makaton are? the only disadvantage is that it isn't more widespread
Did it help communication and speech development? yes
Were you worried it would hinder speech development? no
Why did you use this over other sign systems and communication aids? it is possible to be used at a very young age, we are now going to use it in conjunction with an AAC device

It is fantastic easy and has helped lots of my students find their voice.

People fear that using signs will stop a child talking... That is utter rubbish though...

They also think signing is just for deaf children - again - wrong!!!

My youngest child, totally non verbal - many reasons. Started makaton at 2, which is ALWAYS used alongside speech. Within weeks, my child could communicate at last with me...soon after the speech cane. It helped 'Unlock' the communication.

Why use makaton - as it supplements speech:
You say "Arthur, do you want a drink" and you sign keywords. "DRINK" so they hear and take in the while english grammar / syntax of language, but the communication is aided as the key point is highlighted and emphasised by a sign. I also know bsl and there is a sign for each word of the sentence quoted. But when using makaton you SAY everything and SIGN the key parts.

Hope that helps.

Roll on 7 years,my child doesn't stop talking... Talks non stop. Literally gone from one extreme to the other. Signs still used at times for emphasis (multiple special needs)

That's our personal experience - seen similar breakthroughs professionally (working with kids in many settings) - never heard anything but good things about it's usage. Enlightened nurseries / preschools sometimes use it for ALL children. Those who can talk it doesn't hurt them, those who are learning/ struggling with communication- it helps immensely.

My ds is 7 and has autism and learning difficulties. He was non verbal at 4 but now uses some language suported by a mix of pecs and sign. It has been a very helpful tool for us and school.

Thank you for your help and answers. It sounds really good

we had debate Makaton versus PECS for my son. he was starting to be verbal but needed a method to augmentate speech. both method can achieve that but the benefit of Maketon was that you could prompt speech easily anywhere. for example sign "I want to eat....." and the child speak what you signed. you can do that intensively to help develop it naturally (ABA principle). this helped my son a great deal.

We use Makaton as our main way of communicating . It has no way hindered his speech ( of course I don't know that 100%) . It has helped his understanding and frustration .