Living with Makaton

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

Go symbol Free spirit
Jacob DevineJacob Devine, 3½, has Down's Syndrome. "Makaton has given my family the opportunity to understand Jacob's feelings, moods, needs, what he remembers, who he likes, what he wants to do, and where he wants to go."

Go symbol A part of our lives
James LedgerJames 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."

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 It made him laugh
Liam ShephardLiam Shephard, 11, was born with Pierre Robin sequence. "...he picked up a lot of signs. And he can now speak a few words."

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 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 new
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 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
Xera GreavesXera 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.