THE SCIENCE BEHIND MAKATON

• Studies have shown that Makaton:

• Builds communication prior to speech

• Supports emotional development

• Enhances language development

• Builds attention and listening skills

• Promotes fine and gross motor skills

• Increases a child's IQ, reading and spelling skills

• Brings people together

• The Makaton vocabulary is the popular language and communication system for people with learning difficulties in the UK (Autism Care, 2006).

• Makaton is used in over 40 countries world-wide (Makaton Development Project, 2006).

• Makaton has begun to appear in the media, in children's television programmes such as Mr Tumble (BBC, 2006) and continues to be used world-wide.

• Over 100,000 children and adults use Makaton symbols and signs as their main method of communication or as a way to improve and support their speech. It has shown to be useful for all sorts of people, including those who struggle with understanding concepts and those with poor literacy skills.