Makaton is used by children and adults with a wide range of communication needs. There is no particular age, diagnosis or setting that determines whether Makaton might be helpful.
For some people, Makaton may support communication for a relatively short period of their lives. For others, it can remain an important part of how they communicate throughout adulthood.
Who might benefit from Makaton?
Makaton can support people who have difficulty understanding spoken language, expressing themselves through speech, or both.
People who use Makaton may include those with:
- learning disabilities
- speech, language and communication needs
- Down syndrome
- autism
- developmental delays
- acquired communication difficulties
But a diagnosis isn't what matters. The important question is whether signs, symbols and speech can help make communication more accessible for that individual.
Makaton isn't just for children
Many people first encounter Makaton through early years settings, schools or children's television, so it is easy to assume that it is mainly for children.
It isn't.
Makaton is used by teenagers and adults too, including people who have used it since childhood and continue to rely on signs and/or symbols as part of their everyday communication.
Communication doesn't suddenly become less important when someone reaches adulthood. Being able to make choices, express opinions, understand information, develop relationships, participate in activities and have greater control over your own life matters at every age.
It's not only Makaton users who need to learn
Successful communication involves more than one person.
Families, friends, carers, teachers, support workers, healthcare professionals and others may learn Makaton so that they can understand and communicate more effectively with the people they support.
Makaton can therefore be found in many different settings, including:
- homes and family life
- nurseries, schools and colleges
- health and social care
- hospitals and healthcare services
- supported living and residential services
- workplaces
- leisure and community organisations
- churches and places of worship
- visitor attractions and public services
The more people around a Makaton user who understand their way of communicating, the more opportunities that person has to communicate, participate and be understood.
Communication is individual
Not everyone who uses Makaton will use it in the same way.
Some people predominantly use signs. Some use symbols. Some use speech alongside Makaton, while others may use Makaton alongside photographs, objects, communication books, devices or other forms of AAC.
What matters is not making someone communicate in a particular way, but giving them meaningful ways to understand, express themselves and be heard.
Makaton is one of the tools that can help make that possible.