Editing Makaton

{{Short description|Communication programme}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}}
'''Makaton''' is an [[augmentative and alternative communication]] (AAC) system which uses signs (hand gestures) and symbols (images) alongside speech & written words to support communication. Despite its use of signs, Makaton is not a [[sign language]].<ref name="BDA2022" /> 

Makaton is used by hearing people with communication challenges and learning disabilities to communicate and supports the development of essential communication skills such as attention, listening, comprehension, memory and expressive speech and language.<ref name = "Beukelman 2005">{{Cite book | last1 = Beukelman | first1 = David R. | last2 = Mirenda | first2 = Pat | title = Augmentative alternative communication: supporting children adults with complex communication need | year = 2005 | publisher = Paul H. Brookes Pub. Co. | location = Baltimore | isbn = 978-1-55766-684-0 | oclc = 59817863 | chapter = Symbols and rate enhancement | pages = [https://archive.org/details/augmentativealte0000beuk_g9t0/page/65 65–67] | chapter-url = https://archive.org/details/augmentativealte0000beuk_g9t0/page/65 }}</ref><ref name="Grove Walker 1990">{{cite journal| last1=Grove|first1=Nicola| last2=Walker| first2=Margaret|title=The Makaton Vocabulary: Using manual signs and graphic symbols to develop interpersonal communication|journal=Augmentative and Alternative Communication| volume=6| issue=1|year=1990|pages=15–28|doi=10.1080/07434619012331275284}}</ref> The Makaton language programme has been used with individuals who have [[cognitive impairment]]s, [[autism]], [[Down syndrome]], [[specific language impairment]], [[Deafblindness|multisensory impairment]] and acquired [[neurological disorder]]s that have negatively affected the ability to communicate, including stroke and dementia patients.<ref name = "Beukelman 2005"/><ref name="Prevost 2009">{{cite journal|last1=Le Prevost|first1=Patricia A. |title=Using the Makaton Vocabulary in early language training with a Down's baby: a single case study|journal=Journal of the British Institute of Mental Handicap |volume=11| issue=1|year=2009| pages=28–29| doi=10.1111/j.1468-3156.1983.tb00091.x}}</ref>

The name "Makaton" is derived from the names of three members of the original teaching team at [[Botleys Mansion|Botleys Park Hospital]] in [[Chertsey]], Surrey: [[Margaret Walker (speech therapist)|Margaret Walker]] (the designer of the programme and speech therapist at Botleys Park), Katherine Johnston and Tony Cornforth (psychiatric hospital visitors from the [[Royal Association for Deaf People]]).<ref name="Sheehy 2009">{{cite web | url = http://oro.open.ac.uk/19897/1/SheehyDuffy_Makaton_112009_No_2.pdf |title = Attitudes to Makaton in the ages of integration and inclusion |author1=Sheehy, K  |author2= Duffy, H  | work = International Journal of Special Education|volume= 24|issue = 2 |pages= 91–102| access-date= 30 January 2014}}</ref>

Makaton is a registered trademark of The Makaton Charity, which was established in 2007<ref name="The Makaton Charity">{{cite web |url=http://www.makaton.org/ |title=The Makaton Charity |access-date=29 August 2013}}</ref> to replace the original charitable trust, the Makaton Vocabulary Development Project, established in 1983. The original trademark application for Makaton was filed in Britain on 28 August 1979, with registration approved as from that date under trademark registration no. 1119745.<ref name="Intellectual Property Office - By number results">{{cite web |url=http://www.ipo.gov.uk/tmcase/Results/1/UK00001119745 |title=MAKATON – UK00001119745 |work=Intellectual Property Office – By number results |access-date=29 August 2013}}</ref>

==Programme==
The Makaton Language Programme uses a multimodal approach to teach communication, [[language]] and, where appropriate [[literacy]] skills, through a combination of speech, [[sign (semiotics)|sign]]s, and [[symbols|graphic symbols]] used concurrently, or, only with speech with signs, or, only with speech with graphic symbols as appropriate for the student's needs.<ref name="Grove Walker 1990"/> It consists of a Core Vocabulary of roughly 450 concepts that are taught in a specific order (there are eight different stages). For example, stage one involves teaching vocabulary for immediate needs, like "eat" and "drink".  

Later stages contain more complex and abstract vocabulary such as time and emotions.  Once basic communication has been established, the student can progress in their language use, using whatever modes are most appropriate.<ref name="Grove Walker 1990"/> Also, although the programme is organised in stages, it can be modified and tailored to the individual's needs.<ref name = "Beukelman 2005"/> In addition to the Core Vocabulary, there is a Makaton Resource Vocabulary of over 11,000 concepts which are illustrated with signs and graphic symbols.<ref name="Grove Walker 1990"/>

==Development==
Original research was conducted by  Margaret Walker in 1972/73,<ref name=w>Walker, M (1977) Teaching Sign Language to Deaf Mentally Handicapped Adults (A Practical Account and an Experimental Evaluation) in IMS Conference Proceedings 3, Language and the Mentally Handicapped (pp3-25) [[Kidderminster]]: British Institute of Mental Handicap</ref> and resulted in the design of the Makaton Core Vocabulary based on functional need. This research was conducted with institutionalised deaf cognitively impaired adults resident at Botleys Park Hospital in [[Chertsey]], Surrey (which closed in 2008). The aim was to enable them to communicate using signs from [[British Sign Language]].<ref name="Grove Walker 1990"/><ref name="Byler 2007">{{cite journal|last1=Byler| first1=Judy Kay|title=The Makaton Vocabulary: An Analysis based on Recent Research| journal=British Journal of Special Education| volume=12|issue=3| year=2007|pages=109–116| doi=10.1111/j.1467-8578.1985.tb00622.x}}</ref><ref name="Walker 1981">{{cite journal |vauthors=Walker M, Armfield A |title=What is the Makaton vocabulary? |journal=Spec Educ Forward Trends |volume=8 |issue=3 |pages=19–20 |date=September 1981 |pmid=6458105 }}</ref> Fourteen deaf and cognitively impaired adults participated in the pilot study, and all were able to learn to use manual signs; improved behaviour was also noted.<ref name="Grove Walker 1990"/> Shortly after, the Core Vocabulary was revised to include both children and adults with severe communication difficulties (including individuals who could hear), and was used in many schools throughout Britain in order to stimulate communication and language.<ref name="Grove Walker 1990"/><ref name="Byler 2007"/><ref name="Walker 1981"/>

In the early stages of development, Makaton used only speech and manual signs (without symbols).<ref name="Grove Walker 1990"/> By 1985, work had begun to include graphic symbols in the Makaton Language Programme and a version including graphic symbols was published in 1986.<ref name ="Grove Walker 1990"/> The Core Vocabulary was revised in 1986 to include additional cultural concepts.

The Makaton Vocabulary Development Project was founded in 1976 by Margaret Walker, who worked in a voluntary capacity as director until her retirement in October 2008. The first Makaton training workshop was held in 1976 and supporting resources and further training courses were, and continue to be, developed. In 1983 the Makaton Vocabulary Development Project became a charitable trust, and in 2007 it changed its status to become the Makaton Charity.<ref name="Grove Walker 1990"/><ref name="Byler 2007"/>

== Use ==
Makaton is used extensively across Britain and has been adapted for use in different countries; signs from each country's [[deaf community]] are used, along with culturally relevant Makaton symbols.<ref name = "Beukelman 2005"/> For example, within Britain, Makaton uses signs from British Sign Language; the signs are mainly from the London and South East England regional dialect.<ref name=lsers>Elton, Frances; Squelch, Linda (2009). ''London and South East Regional Signs''. Lexisigns, http://www.lexisigns.co.uk</ref>  

Makaton has also been adapted for use in over 40 countries, including France, Greece, Japan, Kuwait and the Gulf, Russia, South Africa and Switzerland. Using signs from each country's own existing sign language ensures that they reflect each country's unique culture and also provide a bank of further signs if required for use with Makaton.

In 1991 The Makaton Charity produced a video/DVD of children's familiar nursery rhymes, signed, spoken and sung by a well-known children's TV presenter, [[Dave Benson Phillips]], who had previously used Makaton with poems and rhymes in the [[Children's BBC]] show ''[[Playdays]]''. The aim was for it to be enjoyed by children with developmental disabilities and their peers and siblings. Following this major success, in 2003 it became a significant part of the [[BBC]]'s ''[[Something Special (TV series)|Something Special]]'' programmes on the [[CBeebies]] programme thread, presented by [[Justin Fletcher]] as "Mr Tumble", which has won numerous awards and is now into its thirteenth series.

On 16 November 2018, comedian [[Rob Delaney]] read a book on the BBC's children's channel [[CBeebies]] entirely in Makaton and English; he had used Makaton to communicate with his late son Henry, who was rendered unable to talk after a [[tracheotomy]].<ref name="news">{{cite news|work=[[i(newspaper)|i]]|title=Rob Delaney to read CBeebies bedtime story in Makaton, the AAC he learned to communicate with his ill son|author= Sandhu, Serina|url= https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/rob-delaney-makaton-cbeebies-bedtime-story-son-sign-language-221616|date=9 October 2020|access-date = 30 September 2021}}</ref>

== Criticism ==
Members of the Deaf community, including the [[British Deaf Association]], have been critical of Makaton. A 2022 statement by the British Deaf Association decried the rapid growth of social media posts using "sign supported communication systems" such as Makaton and [[Signalong]], emphasizing the limited nature of these non-languages.<ref name="BDA2022">{{cite web |title=BDA statement on "sign systems" and the oppression of BSL |url=https://bda.org.uk/bda-statement-sign-systems/ |website=bda.org.uk |access-date=5 December 2024 |date=13 June 2022}}</ref> The statement argued that it would make more sense to teach both hearing and deaf children signs from British Sign Language, enabling them to communicate with the Deaf community.<ref name=BDA2022 /> Scholarly critique of Makaton has included questioning of its methodology of sign selection and usage, and suggestions that the "teaching method and vocabulary structure were highly restrictive and, if not revised, might impede communication skill development with some children."<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sheehy |first1=Kieron |last2=Duffy |first2=Hester |title=Attitudes to Makaton in the ages on integration and inclusion |journal=International Journal of Special Education |date=2009 |volume=24 |issue=2 |page=92 |url=https://oro.open.ac.uk/19897/ |access-date=5 December 2024 |language=en |issn=0827-3383}}</ref> Other considerations focus on the proprietary nature of Makaton, believing that protecting the integrity of the signs & symbols with Copyright restricts access to Makaton.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nović |first1=Sara |title=Signed Away |url=https://thebaffler.com/outbursts/signed-away-novic |website=The Baffler |access-date=5 December 2024 |date=28 October 2024}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==

* Harrison, D: Virden, F (2011). "Assistant practitioners lead way". ''British Journal of Healthcare Assistants'', 5(8),409. 
* {{cite journal|last1=Hooper|first1=Helen|last2=Walker|first2=Margaret|title=Makaton peer tutoring evaluation: 10 years on|journal= British Journal of Learning Disabilities|volume=30|issue=1|year=2002|pages=38–42|doi=10.1046/j.1468-3156.2002.00120.x}}Hooper, 
* {{cite web |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/136910123/Speech-Language-Therapy-in-Practice-Winter-2011 |title=Applying choices and possibilities |author=Reeves, D |work=Speech & Language Therapy in Practice|date= Winter 2011 |pages=4–6| access-date=29 August 2013}}
* {{cite journal |author=Sellars G |title=Learning to communicate with children with disabilities |journal=[[Paediatr Nurs]] |volume=18 |issue=9 |pages=26–8 |date=November 2006 |pmid=17111943 |doi=10.7748/paed2006.11.18.9.26.c8320}}

==External links==
* [https://makaton.org/ The Makaton Charity website]

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[[Category:1970s establishments in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Augmentative and alternative communication]]
[[Category:Deaf culture in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Sign language]]
[[Category:Sign systems]]
[[Category:Speech and language pathology]]