Hugh’s Makaton with mathematics
- To print this complete exemplar download one of these files:
Download PDF file (388.5 KB)
Download Word file (638.5 KB)
Print only this page
Student background
| Student | Hugh |
|---|---|
| Age | |
| Year | |
| School | Intermediate |
Hugh was confident and enthusiastic about coming to intermediate school.
The transition did not turn out to be as smooth as we had hoped, because while he tried to communicate with teachers, teacher aides and his classmates by gesture and speech, we could not readily understand him.
We needed to find an effective shared communication system. We had noticed that Hugh was signing some words, which he had been taught as a young boy.
Hugh’s speech-language therapist reviewed all the interventions that had been taken so far and suggested it might be appropriate and effective for Makaton sign language (Makaton) to be introduced to Hugh and all those forming part of his learning community.
Everyone closely connected to Hugh, including his parents, teachers, classmates, and youth group leaders, learned Makaton so that signing was able to provide the base language for his communication and learning.
The use of this form of communication transformed Hugh’s ability to interact with all members of his learning environment. Excitingly, within a few months, it also produced some improved clarity in his speech, as well as his recognition of essential written words.