Speaking the same language

Xera Xera Greaves, 9, has Down's Syndrome. She's been using Makaton for a year.

Her mother, Tarnall Greaves, tells her story:

"Xera has a huge vocabulary, but has trouble saying the words so that people can understand what she is saying.

"As she will soon be starting secondary school, we decided to introduce Makaton into our family. We knew a few signs and have been learning lots more. I have spoken to lots of people who would be interested in using Makaton if it were more available.

"We can't believe the change in Xera now that she realises she can make herself understood. Both Xera and us, her family, get frustrated when we can not understand her, but now it's a new world for us. And since we started with Makaton, Xera's speech has improved. I think it's because she no longer rambles on.

"Thanks to Makaton we are all speaking the same language."

January 2007