Makaton Introductory Workshop (1-2 days)

This course is designed for support workers in the field of Learning Disabilities, especially those working with people who have little or no verbal communication.

This workshop provides a comprehensive and enjoyable introduction to working with the Makaton Core Vocabulary. The aim of the course is to familiarise participants with the introductory concepts and the history and development of Makaton.
The course certificate will provide NVQ and CIS links.
Due to the practical nature of the course and so as to ensure that all learners receive guidance, numbers attending is limited to 12.

Learning objectives:

By the end of the course participants should :

• Know what Makaton is
• Know how Makaton started
• Know the origins of the signs used in Makaton
• Understand what is meant by Makaton symbols
• Understand the range of Makaton symbols
• Know how widely used Makaton is
• Be able to explain why signs and symbols may be useful when communicating with people with Learning Disabilities
• Be able to discuss if the use of Makaton discourages speech
• Be able to assess how signs and symbols might be used in the work place
• Be able to communicate key phrases using Makaton
• Understand how Makaton fits in with other signing systems such as BSL
• Have understood BSL and its alphabet, especially with reference to being able to identify themselves and others in
  the workplace by using sign names
• Be able to identify how to use signs and symbols in assessing the needs and wants of service users who use Makaton

Training methods:

• Tutor presentations
• Group work
• Chalk and talk
• Video examples
• OHP/PowerPoint
• Handouts

NOTE : It is recommended that Participant Manuals are purchased to support learning at the training day at a cost of £12.50 each. These contain important information as well as line drawings of all the signs and symbols introduced in the workshop in order to help participants remember them.

CP93/4.9