Makaton Tactile Signing

I have been so fortunate today and met (well over a webinar anyway) the amazing Shelina Mitha. Selina is a Speech and Language Therapist and one of her many areas of specialism is tactile signing with children who are blind, as well as those with MSI (Multiple Sensory Impairments) and PMLD (Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities). Selina has been a Senior Makaton Tutor for 10 years and today she gave a presentation to makaton members on Tactile Signing using Makaton.

Shelina’s knowledge and passion for this subject matter is so clear to see. I found myself thinking of ways to use such signing techniques and with who. But. This is not why I wanted to write a quick blog post on tactile signing. At the end of the session Shelina answered questions. A lot of the questions were around whether The Makaton Charity would be standardising a package of signs for use with children and adults who are VI, MSI and PMLD. The Charity staff alluded to the fact this proposal was not in their business plan, but Shelina seemed keen on this happening.

And then Shelina said: “STANDARDISING GIVES YOU A COMMUNITY”. And isn’t that true and surely what we are all about? Individuals with these complex needs struggle to communicate their choices and needs, let alone initiate communication with others. They are supported by staff and family members and their ‘friends’ are other individual with similar needs in the same class/group as them. If a communication system is standardised then others can communicate with the individual (and not just those who know the individual well). To only be able to communicate with your immediate family and paid professionals is a sad state of affairs to me.

Sooooooo, let’s hope Shelina’s influence can encourage the Makaton Charity to consider this task of standardising tactile signs as a priority.

I’ll keep you updated. Until then, enjoy the sunshine!

Image taken from Google Images and not my own.