Living with Makaton

At last we have a voice
Read the inspiring story of how Makaton helped our Family Advisor, Tracy King, and her family.
Go symbol At last we have a voice

We are always on the look out for personal stories about using Makaton: they help to increase awareness about how Makaton can help people with communication and learning difficulties. Click here if you have an experience that you would like to share. Thank you.

Go symbol Frustrations disappeared
Adam MatthewsAdam Matthews, 10, has autism. "He started school in September and by Christmas he had learnt over 200 signs ... we could hold conversations. Brilliant!"

Go symbol A little chatterbox
Amelia MarslandAmelia Marsland, 4, has Down's syndrome. "She has a lot to say now that she is speaking - and her speech is continually developing."

Go symbol A terrific experience
Cameron MaythamCameron Maytham, 6, has Down's syndrome. "I wish I could adequately describe the look of delight and relief on his face the first time he signed and I was able to understand him."

Go symbol Basic needs
Daniel JacksonDaniel Jackson , 2, has Down's syndrome. "He can communicate basic needs such as yes, no, food and drink."

Go symbol The signs are fantastic
Declan GilmurrayDeclan Gilmurray, 23 months, has Down's syndrome. "I can't begin to tell you how fantastic it is when your child tries to action the sign and knows what it means - the child feels brilliant and you feel even better."

Go symbol Less frustrated
Dylan EdwardsDylan Edwards, 4, has Global Developmental Delay and Autism. "It’s had a major impact on our lives. He is less frustrated now that he can get some communication with me and his Dad."

Go symbol An integral part of our life
Finnley KitchenFinnley Kitchen, 3, has been using Makaton since he was 18 months old. "Who would have imagined that something so simple (and fun) could make such a difference to my family"

Go symbol A real breakthrough
Harry LawrenceHarry Lawrence, 3, has a mannose-binding lectin (MBL) deficiency. As a result, his development has been severely delayed. "It's a real breakthrough for my son to communicate and understand through using Makaton."

Go symbol It's very exciting!
Hudson PaulHudson Paul, aged 18 months, has Down's syndrome. "I love Makaton and have been trying to promote it to all my friends, as I feel it helps all children, not just those that have an additional need."

Go symbol A level playing field
Isaac SheardIsaac Sheard, 2, has has Down's syndrome and hearing loss. "The person who invented [Makaton] deserves a medal, and Justin Fletcher is a super hero in our house!"

Go symbol What a transformation!
Jack IsaacsJack Isaacs, 4, has a speech disorder. "What a transformation I have seen in our little boy!"

Go symbol We are all reading together
Jacob DevineJacob Devine, 5, has Down's Syndrome. "Now he naturally signs sentences. Hooray and yippee! We are thrilled. Our whole family have now committed to signing Makaton with Jacob."

Go symbol Life's so much easier
JakeJake, 3, has quite severe delayed speech. "Makaton has made things so much easier. Jake now has a vocabulary of approximately 50 to 100 words. Without Makaton life would have been so frustrating."


Go symbol Clearer communication
James AndrewJames Andrew, 3, has Down's Syndrome and some autistic tendencies. "I enjoy learning Makaton and find it fun. James's communication has definitely become clearer."


Go symbol Makaton is amazing!
James ElliottJames Elliott, 2, has Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and severe language delay. "Makaton is amazing! It is a wonderful way to communicate, our whole house loves it."


Go symbol A crafty young man!
James FarrahJames Farrah, 17, has Down's Syndrome. "James' social and family life has been greatly improved by Makaton. If it hadn't existed I don't think James would be half the wonderful young man he is today."

Go symbol A part of our lives
James LedgerJames Ledger, 24, has severe learning difficulties. "I really don't know what James's life would have been like without Makaton. He always has so much to say."

Go symbol Full of smiles
Jamie WhitelockJamie Whitelock, 3, has global development delay. "Before using Makaton, Jamie got very frustrated, which wasn't very nice for anyone. Now Jamie is full of smiles."

Go symbol Like a light coming on
Joshua BakerJoshua Baker, 2, has speech difficulties. "I love the way that Makaton has enabled my son to develop his speech and make himself understood."

Go symbol Leaps and bounds
Joshua HigginsJoshua Higgins, 2½, has speech and language delay. "Joshua's language has come on leaps and bounds. If it was not for Makaton, he would still be frustrated trying to be understood."

Go symbol It made him laugh
Liam ShephardLiam Shephard, 16, was born with Pierre Robin sequence. "...he picked up a lot of signs... [his] speech is progressing slowly but steadily"

Go symbol Our relationship has developed hugely
Luca TorrensLuca Torrens, 4, has global developmental delay, no speech and limited gestures. "Our family life is easier due to the improvements in Luca's behaviour: the stress levels, still high, are lower. We have fun using signs and pictures."

Go symbol Wonderful
Zac & Maddy Hill BrownMaddy Hill-Brown, who's nearly 3, has Down's syndrome. Her brother Zac, 15 months, has no learning or communication difficulties. "It has been wonderful to see both children communicate their wants and needs well before their speech is at that level."

Go symbol Wonderful, colourful, and interesting
Makenzie ShillingEven though Makenzie Shilling, 20 months, does not have learning difficulties, she still benefits from using Makaton. "...a wonderful, colourful, and interesting way to learn."

Go symbol A very natural and wonderful experience
Matilda Lironi MacintyreMatilda Lironi Macintyre, 5, has Down's syndrome. "Using Makaton has been a wonderful thing for our family. Through all the stressful toddler years with Matilda, at least she has been able to communicate with us and vice-versa."

Go symbol A fantastic experience for us all
Mei Yang BourneMei Yang Bourne was 15 months old when she was adopted and brought to the UK from her native China. She [knew] a lot of Chinese... Makaton helped her communicate her basic needs... It's been a fantastic experience for us all!"

Go symbol Fun and easy to learn
Melissa AdamsMelissa Adams, 3, has Angelman Syndrome. "[Makaton] has made Melissa more able to join in and I think will take away a lot of the frustration she feels when we don't know what she wants to say. "

Go symbol It helps us communicate as a family
Molly O'BrienMolly O'Brien, 3, has global developmental delay and communication difficulties. "Makaton has helped me personally, I felt so helpless and worried that Molly would be isolated and frustrated if she could not express herself."

Go symbol Interested in learning
Nina AllenNina Allen, 5, has Down's syndrome. "Makaton enabled us to communicate without the frustrations seen in many children who do not sign."

Go symbol Communicate with more people
Paul HarveyPaul Harvey, 20, has autism. "Makaton opened up a communication system between myself and my son, which I have been able to help him develop."

Go symbol A bright future
RyanRyan, aged 2 years 8 months, has Down's syndrome. "Everyone who knows Ryan has said he is coming on a lot quicker now that we are all doing Makaton."

Go symbol Chatters and signs all day
Sean MaughanSean Maughan, 2, has no learning or communication difficulties. "Sean was slow to start talking but his speech has come on leaps and bounds since doing Makaton."

Go symbol Early communication
Sean MaughanTia, 2, has Down's syndrome. "Tia would never have been able to communicate as early as she did without Makaton."

Go symbol Elation
Tova KinnanTova Kinnan, 27, has severe learning disabilities. "When Tova made these signs and saw that people understood... well I can still see the look of elation on her face."

Go symbol Speaking the same language updated
Xera GreavesXera Greaves, 14, has Down's syndrome. "It was very frustrating when Xera was unable to make herself be understood, but Makaton opened up a new world for us. And Xera's speech improved rapidly too.""