Living with Makaton
Frustrations disappeared
Adam Matthews, 10, has autism. "He started school in September and by Christmas he had learnt over 200 signs ... we could hold conversations. Brilliant!"
A little chatterbox
Amelia Marsland, 4, has Down's syndrome. "She has a lot to say now that she is speaking - and her speech is continually developing."
A terrific experience
Cameron 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."
Basic needs
Daniel Jackson , 2, has Down's syndrome. "He can communicate basic needs such as yes, no, food and drink."
The signs are fantastic
Declan 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."
A real breakthrough new
Harry 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."
What a transformation!
Jack Isaacs, 4, has a speech disorder. "What a transformation I have seen in our little boy!"
We are all reading together updated
Jacob 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."
Life's so much easier
Jake, 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."
A crafty young man!
James 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."
A part of our lives
James Ledger, 24, has severe larning difficulties. "I really don't know what James's life would have been like without Makaton. He always has so much to say."
Like a light coming on
Joshua Baker, 2, has speech difficulties. "I love the way that Makaton has enabled my son to develop his speech and make himself understood."
It makes him laugh updated
Liam Shephard, 13, was born with Pierre Robin sequence. "...he picked up a lot of signs... [his] speech is progressing slowly but steadily"
Our relationship has developed hugely
Luca 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."
Wonderful, colourful, and interesting
Even though Makenzie Shilling, 20 months, does not have learning difficulties, she still benefits from using Makaton. "...a wonderful, colourful, and interesting way to learn."
A very natural and wonderful experience new
Matilda 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."
A fantastic experience for us all
Mei 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!"
Fun and easy to learn
Melissa 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. "
It helps us communicate as a family
Molly 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."
Interested in learning
Nina Allen, 5, has Down's syndrome. "Makaton enabled us to communicate without the frustrations seen in many children who do not sign."
Communicate with more people
Paul Harvey, 20, has autism. "Makaton opened up a communication system between myself and my son, which I have been able to help him develop."
Chatters and signs all day new
Sean 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."
Elation
Tova 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."
Speaking the same language
Xera Greaves, 9, has Down's syndrome. "Thanks to Makaton we are all speaking the same language."
Do you have a story to tell?
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. If you have an experience that you would like to share, please email website@makaton.org. Thank you.
