How Makaton is used

Makaton symbols and signs are matched to all the concepts in the Core and Resource Vocabularies to be used with speech, the written word or on their own. They provide a visual representation of language which increases understanding and makes expressive communication easier.

This multi-modal approach, where one mode facilitates another, has been shown to increase opportunities for personal expression and development, participation in interaction and socialisation, and to increase access to education, training and public information.

Devised over 20 years ago for children and adults with a variety of communication and learning disabilities, then updated and revised in 1996 to reflect the UK's modern multi-cultural society, Makaton is as vital as ever. It is used extensively all over the UK and has been adapted for use in forty other countries.

Core Vocabulary

Teaching communication

The Core Vocabulary may be used as a systematic approach for teaching communication, language and literacy skills through signs, symbols and speech with children and adults who are at an early stage of communication and language development.

The stages offer a guide as to which signs/ symbols to introduce and when. Based on research into functional use of vocabulary and compatible with the average norms for language development, this staged approach allows the pupil to progress at his/ her own pace, from simple concepts in Stage 1, to more complex and abstract ones in later stages.

Each stage should be personalised, omitting concepts outside the pupil's experience and adding essential extra concepts from the Resource Vocabulary. A few concepts are taught at a time, slowly and thoroughly, then generalised across a range of functional uses, only introducing further concepts when the pupil is ready.

Vocabulary support

The Core Vocabulary may also be used as a bank of highly functional vocabulary for children and adults with more developed communication and language skills but whose communication needs are such that signs and symbols are required either to support the speech they have, or instead of it.

In this instance, the staged approach is not relevant. The vocabulary of signs and symbols is introduced and used in a more spontaneous functional manner to suit the pupil's communication needs. However, there is often some similarity between the sequence of concepts in the Core Vocabulary stages with the communication priorities of these users.

Parents/ Carers, Professionals and others

A unique feature of the Makaton Core Vocabulary, which applies to both uses described above, is that it not only provides vocabulary for the person with communication needs but also for Parents/ Carers, Professionals and others, to help them interact together and encourage and facilitate the users' understanding and use of the signs/ symbols.

Resource Vocabulary

The Resource Vocabulary is used as a large topic-based resource of additional signs and symbols, which can be added, as required, to the Core Vocabulary. Unlike the concepts in the Core Vocabulary, which provide a common foundation for most users, the significance of the various topics will vary from one user to another according to their age, lifestyle, experience and interests. The Resource Vocabulary is produced in sets so that users can select those parts that are relevant to them.

Different levels of use