The Makaton Charity

Makaton is a language programme using signs and symbols to help people to communicate. It is designed to support spoken language and the signs and symbols are used with speech, in spoken word order.

With Makaton, children and adults can communicate straight away using signs and symbols. Many people then drop the signs or symbols naturally at their own pace, as they develop speech.

Makaton uses signs, symbols and speech to help people communicate. Signs are used, with speech, in spoken word order. This helps provide extra clues about what someone is saying. Using signs can help people who have no speech or whose speech is unclear. Using symbols can help people who have limited speech and those who cannot, or prefer not to sign.

Makaton is extremely flexible as it can be personalised to an individual's needs and used at a level suitable for them. It can be used to:

  • providing training to families, carers, and professionals;
  • developing and producing printed and electronic resources;
  • working with others to make their information accessible;
  • providing advice and support for families and professionals;
  • working in partnership to influence society and empower people.
  • The Makaton Charity uses a sustainable, cascade approach to sharing Makaton. This ensures the maximum number of people can benefit from using Makaton.

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