19th May 2022
Chris Duffy, a young man with a learning disability has been recognised for his great knowledge and expertise in using Makaton signs.
Chris recently completed a Makaton exam and received a certificate for his hard work, which has been supported by his family at home and Yellow Road social farmer Marie Kelly, where Chris attends.
Chris is a service user within Adult Learning Disability in the Southern Trust and Trust speech and language therapist Clare Byrne, who is also a Makaton regional tutor, facilitated the training.
Makaton is a unique language programme that uses symbols, signs and speech to enable people with learning disabilities or communication problems to communicate.
Marie Kelly, who runs the active experienced social farm in Hilltown, which is an innovative use of agriculture to promote therapy, rehabilitation, social inclusion, education and social services in rural areas, is also celebrating success after completing Level one Makaton training.
Marie’s interest and requirement for learning Makaton was inspired by Chris and has made a big difference to their interaction.
Marie said: “I love using Makaton on the farm and it continues to be so impactful in my work with Christopher. I know going forward this skill will fundamentally improve my capacity for effective communication with him. I can see clearly, now that a lot of the frustration and misunderstandings experienced by us both could have been easily avoided had I learnt Makaton earlier.
“Makaton is an important resource we all can use to avoid isolating and marginalising people who already struggle with social inclusion and building meaningful connections with others.”
Clare Byrne said that Makaton transforms the lives of people with communication difficulties, by giving them a way to express themselves independently.
“Being able to communicate eases frustration and gives people confidence and independence while they develop communication and language skills.”
For Further information on Makaton, visit www.makaton.org
Chris Duffy and Marie Kelly celebrating their success after completing Level one Makaton training. They are pictured with Chris’s dad Paddy and step-mother Jayne Duffy and Brian McPolin.