That damned makaton again (fume)

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Garage Joe

Rather than repeating the thread about hotels not doing proper soap anymore I offer the following...............
We've been exhibiting our gear again! One thing guaranteed to make us angry is when a teacher approaches and asks, "Is it Makaton?" When we reply in the negative they look at us as though we were something they had stepped in.
So! Geordie teacher (and the occasional inflexible speech therapist) let me explain.
Makaton is an inappropriate language system for children, since it was cobbled together for adults with learning difficulties, by a few no doubt well-meaning people. It consists of borrowed BSL signs. Unless they've changed it recently, it had signs for smoking but not for clothes.
It is not a simple system for children, it is a simple (and expensive) system for you because you can't be arsed to take the trouble to learn BSL.

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SaintMember 10 years

I work with people who use and need Makaton.
There are signs for clothes
The people who use it do not have the ability to use BSL - thats why we use it

5/29/107:51 AM

Garage JoeMember

Reference:

The people who use it do not have the ability to use BSL

Makaton is BSL.

5/29/108:00 AM

SaintMember 10 years

I see it as a much simplified version of sign language
Doesn't look much like the classic BSL most people think of today
I find it useful for the people who can't finger spell
I don't think its a bad system - some people really need it and its all they can manage

5/29/108:05 AM

Garage JoeMember

I don't disagree that some are unable to manage more than a few signs. I am talking about so-called professionals who automatically foist it on children who are capable of more.

5/29/108:10 AM

SaintMember 10 years

Oh i see

Tis a lazy way for some - agreed

5/29/108:11 AM

Garage JoeMember

I'm not very good at explaining myself Renton-sorry.

5/29/108:14 AM

Soozy WooMember

Reference:

I don't disagree that some are unable to manage more than a few signs. I am talking about so-called professionals who automatically foist it on children who are capable of more.

Interesting point ................some years ago I worked with adults with various learning disabilities (actually I'm quaking in my boots here) I've been jumped on before for using incorrect terminology. Some of the students I worked with found it incredibly useful and the easiest way of communicating. I know what you're saying about it being 'foisted' on people who are more able but ................. surely we shouldn't ditch Makaton altogether as it does help a significant number of people.

If we dismiss it altogether it becomes obsolete and the very people it was designed to help may find that no one understands or can communicate with them. Surely it's a good starting block that can become more developed and sophisticated according to the persons ability.

5/29/105:12 PM

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