Chris Jefferson from Grimsby shares the remarkable progress he made with his son Jake using a communication programme called Makaton.
Makaton is a useful method of communication using signs and symbols alongside speech, for people of any age with communication needs. It supports listening and attention for people with as autism, speech and language delay, and learning disabilities.
By age four Jake still wasn’t speaking, he was having frequent meltdowns because he couldn’t communicate with others or understand basic things that many families with young children take for granted.
Chris said, “I couldn’t cope with my son not talking.”
“I stumbled across Makaton and thought ‘what have I got to lose’.”
“It’s been brilliant.
“I’ve completed Level 1 and 2 which gives me the vocabulary, signs, symbols and techniques to communicate with him.
“I’ve been using it for three years now. Jakes communication, language and interaction has really come on.
“It has stopped or distracted from many of his meltdowns which are now manageable.”
Jake who is now 7 years old is Level 3 severely autistic, non-verbal, has echolalia, and has an ADHD assessment underway.
The challenges Chris faced as a father of a child with additional needs is one that many parents will be able to empathise with.
Speaking openly, he said, “Mentally it was a struggle for me not being able to do the things I wanted to do with him, the things that I did with my older son.
“I felt like I lost my own life too. I had to give so much time and attention to Jake.
“It also meant that my older son lost out. He used to struggle with how much attention I had to give to Jake but he is much more understanding now.”
The signs are taken from British Sign Language and paired with symbols and speech to add meaning to what is being communicated.
Direction, placement and movement are some of the techniques used to enhance communication when using signs.
Chris was taught by Sarah Arthur, qualified Makaton Tutor and ambassador for the Makaton Charity, who provides Makaton training to parents, carers and professionals.
He said, “The training was brilliant there’s a whole system and structure to the way you use it and practical feedback of how to use it at home and in different settings.”
“I shared the videos of his progress recently on my Facebook page and the response shocked me.
“I had messages in my inbox, texts, and calls from so many people not realising the work that is put into a child like Jake and how uplifting it was to see.
“I am not someone that has a big interest in sharing my personal life online, so seeing this side of our life came as a shock to many.
“I had so many kind comments and it was so heartwarming to be praised as a father.
“Some were people with nonverbal children who were in the same boat that I was in at the beginning, asking for advice and thanking me for showing them they are not alone.
“Many asked what routes I had taken to get Jake to talk as it touched them and they wanted the same for their children.”
The whole family now takes the same approach.
Chris has been with his new partner for a year who states, “Seeing how effective Makaton had been made it a no-brainer for me to use to communicate with him and keep him regulated.”
His son and two stepchildren also use signs.
On the impact of family life Chris said, “As a family it takes the stress out of normal days out which were not enjoyable previously.
“Theme parks, caravan sites and usual things that people take for granted like food shopping, walks to the park and kids indoor play areas could all be very over stimulating.
“Now we are able to take him out as a family.
“We are aware of the complications and frustrations we may have, but with the tools and skills we’ve learned we’re making huge progress in what Jake has started to see as routines, they are not so new to him anymore and he then over time feels less overwhelmed with sensory issues.”
Jake attends a special needs school for autism.
He has now learned to read sentences by learning words and their symbols in an order, paired with the meaning underneath the symbols.
Symbols offer a visual representation of words which support language and literacy skills. Symbols add meaning to written words, they can be used to communicate wants, needs and choices.
Although he is still classed as nonverbal Jake can now talk more using words he has learnt through Makaton and is starting to put phrases and sentences together.
This is incredible progress that he says he could never have imagined was possible.
Reflecting on being a dad of a child with special needs Chris stated, “Having a special needs child has been exceedingly difficult, probably the biggest challenge I have faced but it has made me be the father I am today and an all-round better person.”
If you think that Makaton could help someone you know contact: [email protected].
For more like this check the SEND Local Offer, https://sendlocaloffer.nelincs.gov.uk/
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