Makaton help with my own ds

[PRINCESSDAISYFLOWER]

Hi guys

My ds is 2yrs and 3m, and has no speech at all, I am waiting for his speech therapy referal.
we are also waiting to see if he may need grommits and his adinoids (sp) removed.

Untill then he is getting more and more frustrated which is not being helped by the fact i have just had another baby.

Anyway I want to try and start introducing him to Makaton but just dont know where to start, the books seem pretty expensive and money is tight at the moment, has anyone got any advice?

[onceinabluemoon]

I learned it by watching Mr Tumble and then buying the DVDs

You may find this website usefull too http://www.makaton.org/khxc/gbu0-prodshow/ss-dvd-hello-out-about.html

Or you could start learning BSL Good website here: http://www.british-sign.co.uk/devon.php, much cheaper than going on a course and you still leanr the basics. Some of the signs are the same as MAkaton

[Helen79]

Do you have a sing and sign class or any kind of makaton classes near you? Some of the classes are free.

With my kids I started with the basics and taught a few signs at a time. Signs I found easy to learn and teach were please (which can help stop tantrums when they want something but get frustrated when they don't have the words to ask), thank you, drink, more and then when they've learnt the basics I started adding a few more.

You may find that by teaching him some of the basic signs he may make up his own.

[maisiemog]

There did used to be some brilliant resources on the mencap website. I'd also recommend Mr Tumble. I have an autistic mindee who only communicates through makaton and all my mindees watch something special and are learning it. Plus it's free!!!

I would also see if your local learning disabilities team has any resources or recommendations as they teach makaton.

Have you tried youtube? I wouldnt be surprised if there wasnt anything on there! It has pretty much everything else!!!

[Katiekoo]

Sing and sign is excellent it introduces the signs using songs about things that kids love - animals, cars, daily routines. Classes tend to be expensive but - the dvd and books are available at http://www.singandsign.co.uk (http://www.singandsign.com)
The vocab book is very good and the jessie cat books are very sweet.
Your little one will pick it up so quickly, start with the simple (and most useful) ones - eat, drink, more, all gone, home.
I was a sing and sign teacher btw :blush:
Good Luck :D

[lfishwick]

Hi
Have you also tried using a picture or object communication system? So he has pictures of every day objects, places, areas in the home etc - and then they can be in a box or on a ring and he shows you what he wants using the picture or an object to symbolise the place, activity etc ( e.g face cloth for bathroom - toy cup for a drink or actual photograph of places or objects). Just start with a few ( so the most important basic communication - drink, food etc) and then build up the pictures/objects ( you can accompany with signs and speech also).