What a transformation!

Jack Isaacs, 4, was diagnosed with a speech disorder when he was 2 years old. He only ever grunted and pointed to things.

His mother, Christine Isaacs, tells his story:

"I was appointed a Portage worker, who introduced me to Makaton, and I bought some Something Special DVDs, with Mr Tumble, from her.

"I was dubious about Jack learning Makaton signs because I thought he would rely on his hands rather than use his speech. But Jack was becoming frustrated, and was very hard work.

"Well, what a turning point getting the DVDs was! Jack picked up signs left, right and centre. And slowly he became less and less frustrated, and his speech began to improve.

"As a child I went to a mainstream school with a deaf unit attached, so I was very interested in sign language and learnt the alphabet, etc. So I was very eager to learn Makaton too, and I picked up the signs as fast as Jack.

"To my amazement, as soon as Jack could say a word he dropped the sign, but he still remembers them as I test him once in a while.

"After a very long fight with the LEA, we got Jack statemented into a mainstream school with a speech and language unit attached. He started there in September, and since then he has come along in leaps and bounds.

"So our message to any parent going through this is keep fighting for your child, it's well worth all the pain and perseverance. Don't be afraid to teach your child Makaton because it does help, and they don't just rely on signs or hands: they combine both.

"What a transformation I have seen in our little boy!"

December 2006