The Makaton Language Program is designed to be uniquely adaptable to individual need.
This screening checklist can help you identify whether an infant, child, young person or adult could benefit from the principles and approaches that Makaton offers.
If you are wondering whether Makaton could be of help, please feel welcome to use it!
The Yes and Maybe / sometimes responses to the questions highlight areas where Makaton can be helpful.
| Understanding | Yes | Maybe / sometimes | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Do you observe the person needs language spoken to them to be much simpler than would be usual for their age? | |||
| 2. Do you observe the person manages better if you keep your sentences brief and you help by pointing to things as you talk? | |||
| 3. Do you ever find that instinctively you want to use mimes or gestures to help the person understand? (For example, miming drinking while you ask if they’d like a drink). | |||
| 4. Do you observe the person can have less of a concentration span for listening than others of a similar age? | |||
| 5. Do you observe that misunderstandings can occur? (For example, when you ask about something, the person hasn’t accurately understood you.) | |||
| 6. Do you observe that the person can be self-conscious, nervous, or upset in situations where they need to understand what is being said? | |||
| 7. Do you observe the person working out what to do, or what is meant, by watching and copying others? | |||
| 8. Do you observe the person avoiding situations where listening to talk is required? | |||
| Talking | Yes | Maybe / sometimes | No |
| 9. Is the person non-verbal? (For example may have some vocal sounds but not words) | |||
| 10. Do you observe that the person has fewer sounds, words, phrases, or sentences than others of their age typically have? | |||
| 11. Do you find it hard to understand most of what the person says? | |||
| 12. Do you find it hard to understand some words or phrases the person says? | |||
| 13. Do you feel that the person has a lot more to say than they are able to achieve? (Indicators of this can be signs of frustration). | |||
| 14. Does the person try to get messages across in ways other than speech, for example pointing, taking you to see things or making gestures? | |||
| 15. If asked by someone who does not know them, would the person be able to say their name in a way that would be clearly understood? | |||
| 16. If shown photographs of familiar objects would the person be able to name them clearly? | |||
| 17. After a familiar activity (for example going to a store with a family member for some grocery shopping) would the person be able to use language confidently to report this activity to another person? | |||
| 18. If the person was upset or concerned about something, or wanted information about something, would they be able to use words to communicate their message? | |||
| 19. Have you concerns that because talking is difficult, the person avoids certain situations? | |||
| Communication with others | Yes | Maybe / sometimes | No |
| 20. Do you observe the person having difficulty knowing how to communicate a need. (For example, they may wait for you to step in rather than make an approach themselves)? | |||
| 21. Do you observe the person not appearing aware that someone is trying to communicate with them? | |||
| 22. Do you observe a person appearing stressed or anxious when they are in new situations, with unfamiliar people? | |||
| 23. Do you observe that the person does not seek out communication situations and appears settled and happy without doing so? | |||
| 24. Do you have concerns that challenges with understanding, talking or knowing how to go about communicating could make the person more vulnerable than others of their age might be? | |||
| 25. Do you judge that without additional support (this can include ways communication partners adjust their talking to help, and use of pictures or objects etc) the person will struggle to manage accessing services or facilities including retail, medical, educational or leisure? | |||
| Tally your totals here: |
If you are interested in finding out more about The Makaton Language Program click here to register your interest.
