Makaton

Makaton 3         Makaton 1       Makaton 3

What is Makaton?

Makaton is a unique language programme which may be used as:-

  •  a systematic multi-modal approach for teaching communication, language and literacy skills
  •  a source of highly functional vocabularly for the person with communication needs and for those who interact with that person

Who uses Makaton?

  • Children and adults who have a broad range of communication needs.
  • Parents, carers, professionals, education and service providers.
  • Children and adults with profound, severe, moderate or mild learning difficulties, autistic spectrum disorders, profound-severe physical impairments, sensory impairments and specific language disorders.

 

If you are interested in completing the Makaton Foundation Course please contact Jackie Webb Regional Makaton Tutor on 0191 4897480 for more details.

We also offer free regular Makaton sessions to parents and carers. These are friendly and informal sessions and are run at the school on a termly basis. These are usually topic related, for example, Easter Vocabulary, Christmas Vocabulary, Animals, colours etc. If you are interested please contact the school on 0191 4897480 to book a place.

Makaton 4                         Makaton 2

 

Speech and Language provision at Keelman’s Way School

At Keelman’s Way School we offer a total communication environment for each and every child.  Our aim is to provide every child with opportunities to communicate functionally and effectively. We use many different forms of communication, including Makaton signing, vocalising, PECS (Picture Exchange Communication  System), objects of reference, smells of reference, Talking Mats, Social Stories, Colourful Semantics, Eye gaze, Language steps, as well as a variety of different communication aids both high and low tech.

We have NHS Speech and Language therapists who work into our school on a weekly basis, as well as having an HLTA for communication based in school, who acts as a link for parents/carers, staff and therapists as well as other outside agencies.  Our therapists work with children who have a wide range of speech, language and communication difficulties, as well as feeding and swallowing problems.

Children have access to speech and language intervention individually and/or in small groups, this may be  delivered by a Speech and Language Therapist, the HLTA or by classroom staff.

The SALT team and HLTA work very closely with the other outside agency’s including physiotherapists,    occupational therapists, Educational Psychologists, Social Workers, Specialist Dental service, Community Nurses, Doctor’s, Dieticians, Incontinence service and the V.I service.

We offer support and advice for parents and carers, as well as opportunities to come into school to observe therapy being implemented.

 

Little Chatterboxes Sessions

Little Chatterboxes is aimed at our children in our Early Years and Primary part of the school.  It is delivered by our HLTA for   communication with the help of ‘Frank’ the puppet.  The aim of the group is to help children enjoy and participate in small groups, and to be able to develop an understanding and expression of simple language including Makaton signs/symbols.  It helps our children to anticipate what is about to happen, teaches turn taking skills, encourages interaction with each other and to make learning enjoyable.  Strategies and activities are also modelled to staff so that they are able to continue and build on these skills in the classroom.

 

Lego Club

LEGO Club is carried out in groups of three.  It is aimed at the children/students with Autism.  The group encourages listening skills, turn taking,  effective communication, problem solving, specific roles and interaction skills.  The children are encouraged to work as part of a team to build a model of their choice, by using good interaction and communication skills.

 

 

Social Skills Group

Our ‘Friend’s Group’ is aimed at the older and Post 16 students in our school.  The group looks at situations the students may find themselves in when they are  outside of the school environment, such as travelling on public transport, shopping, work experience and being aware of strangers etc.  It help students to understand what is appropriate behaviour, and who they can trust.  The group encourages them to discuss their different personalities and focuses on topics such as “All About Me”.  It encourages the students to listen to each other, take turns, to encourage debates and to understand that everyone is aloud to have an opinion even if you do not agree.

 

 

 

Click on the pictures below for full slideshow.