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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Original poster

Makaton - Any reccomendations to a novice welcome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

26 replies

Yurtgirl · 02/02/2005 13:38

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geekgrrl · 02/02/2005 14:10

find out whether your speech therapy department offers courses, and watch lots of 'Something Special' on cbeebies (CAT me if you don't have cbeebies, I can send you a DVD with the last series on). That'll give you a good idea on using Makaton. You can buy pocket guides of signs which are useful.
To start with introduce just one or two signs at a time until your ds starts using them ('more', 'biscuit' and 'drink' seem to be hot favourites, and animal ones too - my dd would only do 'duck' for months at first). Oh, and the main thing is to just concentrate on the key words - e.g when I say to dd that we've got to get into the car and go to nursery the only words I sign are 'car' and 'nursery'.

heartinthecountry · 02/02/2005 14:16

hiya - the main site to look at is makaton.org but they don't have any free resources, you can buy pocket books of signs (make sure you buy signs book not symbols as makaton also uses picture symbols but assume you want to learn the sign language?).

I have found the best resource though to be the Something Special programmes on CBeebies (9.20, 1.20 and 5.20 on Cbeebies channel atm)if you can video them or get someone to for you. Ah, but if you are in a yurt that won't be much help will it! (or is that just your name? )

If anyone knows of any websites where you can download signs I would love to know about them...

heartinthecountry · 02/02/2005 14:20

geekgrrl - we crossed! But (she says being cheeky) would you possibly be able to send me a copy of that DVD if I send you money to cover DVD and postage etc? dd LOVES that programme and I haven't been able to record it. I can CAT you my details if that's okay... purleese!

geekgrrl · 02/02/2005 14:28

hitc no problem CAT me

Original poster
Yurtgirl · 02/02/2005 14:28

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heartinthecountry · 02/02/2005 14:40

Thanks geekgrrl!

yurtgirl, yes - you can buy the books from the site. Think it is great that you are looking at camphill - if for any reason we weren't able to look after dd at home I would definitely consider one of their communities. For your interview next week, the first series of Something Special had a 'welcome' song which had some useful signing for 'how are you?' 'it's good to see you' etc. Not sure if it is still part of the second series?

geekgrrl · 02/02/2005 14:41

we have a dvd/hard disk recorder and recorded it when it was on in one go overnight, so I'd just make a copy of ours

oh I remember your post about camphill now yurtgirl. there's one in the n.yorks. moors - it looks beautiful on their website. keep meaning to go to the open day.

have a look at the cbeebies website, they have pictures of signs. makaton are terribly posessive of their stuff so you won't find any 'real' makaton images to download. you could ring them and ask whether there are any courses in your area. Do try contacting your local child development centre - i've been on course and there were often people on them in similar situations as yours. they're not just for parents. and do get in touch if you want the dvd.

Original poster
Yurtgirl · 02/02/2005 19:10

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eidsvold · 02/02/2005 22:15

when we started with dd we just bought the pocket books which contained most of the words that we would use - think together they cost about 15 quid... very helpful

jollymum · 02/02/2005 23:02

I can sen you a photocopied "pack" if you like. Got stages 1-8 Makaton on it, really useful. I use it with my babies.

Original poster
Yurtgirl · 03/02/2005 18:59

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geekgrrl · 05/02/2005 18:11

just wanted to let you know that it´ll be a week before i send the dvds out as i´m at my parents now for half term.

heartinthecountry · 06/02/2005 20:40

That's cool geekgrrl - no rush

Wallace · 07/02/2005 19:25

jollymum - I would be really greatful if you could send me a pack too. I am on a placement at a school fro children with special needs and it would be very useful for me to know some Makaton.
Can I CAT you?

lunavix · 07/02/2005 19:29

jollymum - can I get a copy too please?

I can't CAT you though as apparently you don't recieve them...

Wallace · 07/02/2005 20:24

Hmmm...so she doesn't. If we shout loudly do you think she will hear us?

Wallace · 13/02/2005 20:40

bumping this up

jollymum · 13/02/2005 21:57

What's CAT Youi can phone me if you like aand I'll send stuff out. My dh says he doesn't know what CAT is, and he's good at comp stuff.

jollymum · 13/02/2005 22:00

Sorry for the delay, half term on me nd four kids at home You're welcome to the packs, I would give out my phone no. but am a bit wary these days 'cos of some dodgy stuff on m/n, (here come the judge, here come the judge etc etc....

Wallace · 13/02/2005 22:47

Thanks jollymum. CAT is Contact another Talker, and you can set your mumsnet profile so others can send you an email throught hte mumsnet team. You'll have to ask someone else how to change it though

elizabethbeer · 15/02/2005 16:31

hiya, I have a deaf daughter who is nearly 5, and I know that forestbooks.com sell Makaton materials along with other BSL and deaf resources, if that's any help.

geekgrrl · 22/02/2005 15:59

HITC and YG, am just going through my CAT messages to see who'd like Something Special and haven't had a CAT from you. I don't need money for the DVDs (we get DVDs in bulk v. cheaply and the postage is negligible), if you'd still like them just send me your addresses and I'll post them out to you.

heartinthecountry · 22/02/2005 17:02

Hi Geekgrrl - I sent a CAT when you first offered. But never mind, sometimes they don't seem to get through. I'll try again now. Thanks so much for doing this .

Keane · 22/02/2005 17:38

oo could i have one too please ! (Its Fio)

Keane · 24/02/2005 07:24

geekgrrl did you get my CAT?