Use Makaton / BSL to communicate with children with SEN from Udemy

But don't forget that the immense majority of these signs have been "borrowed" (taken and then trademarked) from BSL, the language of the Deaf community in the UK. Nevertheless, I am using the name "Makaton" as it is gaining popularity and in essential its idea is very useful: to sign the key words of the spoken language while you speak, and sometimes with simplified versions of the signs.

On the updated edition of this course I have explained in detail why children with ASD struggle with language, with some of them never acquiring a flexible form of language (a system that can be used flexibly to communicate). Makaton and signs in general are used a lot in schools to support children with ASD and I hope that this course will help you to help and develop your child's language, adding richness to their vocabulary and their ability to communicate with others about what they want and what they want to say about the world.

Using Makaton is quite similar to using Sing Supported English. The difference between using a sign language like BSL and using signs with learners who have communication difficulties lies in the complexity of what you say and that in a sign language you use a visual grammar, different to the spoken grammar, this is, the word order is different than in the spoken language. When we use signs to communicate with children or adults who have communication difficulties, we can do it alongside English or a visual communication system like the ones copyrighted by THe Makaton Charity or others like Widgit. In those cases, we normally use simple sentences that follow the structure of the spoken language. That is the essential difference between Makaton and Sign Language.

What's inside

Learning objectives

What are the differences and similarities between makaton and bsl
How using signs helps learners with communication difficulties
More than 200 core vocabulary signs

How to teach signs to children and adults with learning difficulties
How to use signs with children with autism and in general how to teach them words

What are the differences and similarities between makaton and bsl
How using signs helps learners with communication difficulties
More than 200 core vocabulary signs
How to teach signs to children and adults with learning difficulties
How to use signs with children with autism and in general how to teach them words

Syllabus

Toys, animals and colours

Introduction

What is Makaton (and its links to BSL)

How to communicate using signs and language

Why you should learn to sign if you work in SEN

How to teach signs to children and adults with SEN

Why children with Autism struggle to learn signs & words

So how to teach signs to children with Autism

Learn the core signs!

Greetings, people and some verbs

Practice: greetings, people and actions

Feelings, school-related verbs and more relevant people

Practice: feelings, school verbs and more people

Practice feelings, school, toys, animals and people

School routines

Question words

Practice question words: what, where, how

Practice: asking why

The weather, plus some adjectives

Practice: weather and some adjectives

Teaching time concepts to children with ASD

Talking about time

Practice with time-related signs

Fingerspelling (for right and left hand)

Fingerspelling- right handed

Fingerspelling- mirror view for left-hand

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the use of Makaton, which can enrich vocabulary and improve communication for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other communication difficulties

Teaches over 200 core vocabulary signs, which provides a solid foundation for communicating with individuals who have learning difficulties

Highlights the connection between Makaton and British Sign Language (BSL), which gives learners a broader understanding of sign-based communication systems

Focuses on practical application by teaching how to effectively teach signs to both children and adults who have special education needs

Discusses the challenges children with autism face when learning language, which helps learners develop targeted teaching strategies

Requires learners to understand that Makaton signs are derived from BSL, which may necessitate additional research for some learners

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Use Makaton / BSL to communicate with children with SEN with these activities:

Review Basic BSL Signs

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Familiarize yourself with basic BSL signs to better understand the origins of Makaton and appreciate the nuances of sign language.

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Find a BSL sign dictionary or online resource.
Learn the BSL alphabet and numbers.
Practice common BSL greetings and phrases.

Read 'A Student's Dictionary of Language and Linguistics'

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Gain a deeper understanding of linguistic concepts related to language acquisition and communication difficulties.

View A Dictionary of Grammatical Terms in Linguistics on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'A Student's Dictionary of Language and Linguistics'.
Browse the dictionary and familiarize yourself with key terms related to language and communication.
Refer to the dictionary when encountering unfamiliar linguistic terms in the course.

Sign Core Vocabulary Daily

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Reinforce your understanding of the core Makaton vocabulary through daily practice.

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Review the list of core Makaton signs from the course.
Practice signing each word in front of a mirror.
Use the signs in simple sentences throughout the day.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Create a Makaton Sign Flashcard Set

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Solidify your knowledge of Makaton signs by creating a set of flashcards for practice and review.

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Choose 20-30 core Makaton signs from the course.
Create a flashcard for each sign, including the sign illustration and the corresponding word.
Use the flashcards to practice signing and memorizing the vocabulary.

Review 'Signing Made Easy'

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Expand your understanding of sign language principles and vocabulary.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Obtain a copy of 'Signing Made Easy'.
Review the sections on basic sign language vocabulary and grammar.
Compare the signs in the book to the Makaton signs learned in the course.

Develop a Makaton Storybook

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Apply your knowledge of Makaton to create a storybook that can be used to teach children with SEN.

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Choose a simple story or create your own.
Translate the story into Makaton signs, using key words and simple sentences.
Illustrate the story with pictures or drawings of the signs.
Share the storybook with children with SEN and observe their reactions.

Tutor a Friend or Family Member

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Reinforce your learning by teaching Makaton signs to someone else.

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Choose a friend or family member who is interested in learning Makaton.
Prepare a lesson plan covering basic Makaton signs and phrases.
Teach the lesson and provide feedback to your student.

Career center

Learners who complete Use Makaton / BSL to communicate with children with SEN will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Special Education Teacher

A special education teacher works with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. This course helps prepare special education teachers by demonstrating methods for communicating with students who have communication difficulties, which many students in special education experience. This course's emphasis on using signs, like Makaton, and adapting communication strategies for students with autism are especially useful for a special education teacher. A special education teacher might find that learning the more than 200 core vocabulary signs is valuable, as well as an understanding of how to use signs to develop a child's language. A teacher in special education would also be able to utilize the instruction on teaching signs to children with autism.

See salaries and explore the career path for Special Education Teacher

Autism Support Specialist

An autism support specialist works directly with individuals on the autism spectrum, providing care, education, and therapeutic support. This course will be helpful for any autism support specialist who wants to learn techniques that can help children with autism to communicate. The course explains why children with autism struggle to learn words and signs and how to best teach them skills of communication. The course focuses on teaching methods of sign language which autism support specialists will find valuable, specifically the 200 core signs included in the course. An autism support specialist may be particularly interested in the course's instruction on teaching time concepts to children with autism.

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Paraprofessional Educator

A paraprofessional educator works in the classroom, providing assistance to teachers and students. This course can benefit a paraprofessional educator looking to enhance their skills in supporting diverse learners. The course's focus on signs and their use within special education environments will be immediately relevant. A paraprofessional educator would find the course helpful in learning how to best use signs to communicate with children who have communication difficulties, especially children with autism. The course provides a conceptual understanding for why children with autism struggle with language, and a paraprofessional educator can use this information to provide more effective support.

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Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech language pathologists assess, diagnose, and provide treatment for communication and swallowing disorders. The concepts behind this course are immediately relevant to the work of a speech language pathologist, especially those who treat children. This course helps build a foundation for helping learners with communication difficulties, using techniques that are explicitly discussed here, such as Makaton. Speech language pathologists are often involved in helping children with autism, and this course provides background on why these children struggle with language. This course may be useful for anyone looking to expand their skillset for teaching signs, especially the 200 core vocabulary signs.

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Early Childhood Educator

An early childhood educator works with young children in a variety of settings, helping to foster their cognitive, social, and emotional development. This course helps develop a foundation for working with young children who might have difficulties with communication, using signs like Makaton. It provides a foundation for the work of a early childhood educator. The course’s instruction on using signs to support the spoken language can be key to helping children with communication difficulties and for developing language. The course's focus on using signs with children with autism is also relevant, given the prevalence of autism diagnoses in early childhood settings. An early childhood educator can use the course’s framework for teaching signs to build an individualized approach.

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Instructional Aide

An instructional aide supports teachers in the classroom, assisting with instruction and classroom management. An instructional aide working with students with special needs, especially those with communication difficulties, may find this course helpful. This course lays a foundation for using signs to support learning and communication, and the techniques taught are also applicable to students with autism. An instructional aide will be able to learn the most important signs, with over 200 core vocabulary signs taught as part of the course. They will also understand how to teach signs to children with autism, as well as the reasons why they may be struggling with language.

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Caregiver

Caregivers support children or adults with disabilities in their daily lives, assisting with personal care, activities, and community engagement. Caregivers may find this course useful because it explains why children with autism struggle with language. This course can be helpful for a caregiver to build a foundation for effectively communicating with individuals who have difficulties. A caregiver will come to understand how to use signs to support language development and how to teach signs. The 200 core signs, and techniques for learning them, taught in the course will be immediately helpful to caregivers.

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Behavioral Therapist

A behavioral therapist works with individuals to address challenging behaviors and develop adaptive skills. Behavioral therapists may see children with autism, and this course can provide an approach to facilitating communication for their clients. A behavioral therapist might benefit from understanding the connection between language and behavior, and this course can explain how to better teach signs and words to children with autism. A behavioral therapist can develop a more well-rounded approach, using the knowledge of different signs and techniques from this course. A behavior therapist may be particularly interested in the course’s instruction on why children with autism struggle with language.

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Language Tutor

A language tutor provides individualized instruction to students who are struggling with language acquisition. A language tutor wanting to work with children with autism, or other communication difficulties, might find this course helpful. The course will build a foundation for understanding why some students struggle with learning words and signs, and how to best use signs, including Makaton, to facilitate communication. Using techniques and methods taught in this course could further help a language tutor to create individualized strategies. A language tutor may find the 200 core vocabulary signs in the course to be a helpful resource.

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Occupational Therapist

An occupational therapist helps individuals of all ages to develop or regain skills needed for daily life. Some occupational therapists work with children who have communication difficulties, and this course can offer techniques for more effectively connecting with their clients. The course provides an understanding of why children with autism may struggle with language, as well as a focus on using signs, such as Makaton, to improve communication. The occupational therapist may be able to adapt their approach using the course’s framework. An occupational therapist may also find it valuable to understand how to teach the 200 core signs.

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Recreational Therapist

A recreational therapist uses activities to improve the physical, cognitive, and social well-being of their clients. A recreational therapist might find this course helpful because it presents methods for improving communication with their clients, especially if they are children or have special needs. The course gives detailed information on understanding communication difficulties and methods for teaching signs such as Makaton. A recreational therapist might use these techniques to increase the engagement of children with autism, as the course deals with why they struggle with language. A recreational therapist may value the 200 core vocabulary signs in the course.

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Social Worker

Social workers provide support and advocacy for individuals and families facing challenges. Some social workers may work with families who have children that have communication difficulties. This course can help a social worker understand the use of signs, such as Makaton, as an approach to working with nonverbal clients. This course explains how signs can be taught to children with autism, and discusses why some children struggle to acquire a flexible form of language. A social worker may find it helpful to understand how to teach the 200 core vocabulary signs included in the course.

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Daycare Provider

A daycare provider cares for young children in a daycare or childcare setting, providing a safe and nurturing environment. This course may be useful for daycare providers who work with children with communication difficulties. Daycare providers may encounter children who have not yet developed spoken language, and this course can inform their approach to communication. The course’s focus on signs, including Makaton, and the 200 core signs, can help the daycare provider connect with each child. A daycare provider may be particularly interested in the course’s instruction on why children with autism struggle with language.

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Camp Counselor

A camp counselor is responsible for the supervision and care of children in a camp setting, facilitating fun activities and ensuring safety. This course may be useful for camp counselors who work with children with learning or communication difficulties. Camp counselors may interact with children who are nonverbal and, as such, this course can inform their approach to communication. The course’s focus on signs, including Makaton, and the inclusion of over 200 core signs, can help the camp counselor connect with and facilitate better communication. A camp counselor may find the course helpful because of the instruction on how to teach signs to children with autism.

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Music Therapist

A music therapist uses music to help clients with their physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being. A music therapist can use the strategies in this course to connect with more of their clients, particularly those who have difficulties with communication. This course will be useful if a music therapist wants to learn more about using signs, such as Makaton, to help their clients. They may find the focus on teaching signs to children with autism to be particularly relevant, as they may have clients on the autism spectrum. A music therapist may also find the 200 core vocabulary signs useful in therapy.

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Use Makaton / BSL to communicate with children with SEN

What's inside

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Syllabus

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Activities

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