Teach Makaton in schools so that ALL children can communicate, says teen

A Heywood teenager is fighting for sign language to be compulsory in schools so that every child can communicate without being isolated.

College student Jade Kilduff, 18, has begun teaching little brother, Christian, four, who has cerebral palsy, how to communicate using Makaton, a form of communication based on British Sign Language (BSL).

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/125766/heywood-teenager-and-little-brother-begin-online-sign-language-channel

Makaton signs are based on the gestures used in BSL, but it is used in conjunction with speech and in English grammatical word order.

Over 100,000 children and adults use Makaton symbols and signs, either as their main method of communication, or as a way to support speech.

Under the moniker ‘Sign Along With Us’, Jade and Christian have started sharing online videos of their signing so that others can learn how to communicate with those who have learning or communication difficulties.

Jade, who started her petition earlier this year, hopes that sign language will be taught in all schools to eliminate isolation of those who may find it otherwise difficult to communicate, and be offered on the curriculum as a GCSE.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/125797/heywood-teen-launches-petition-for-basic-sign-language-to-be-taught-in-school

She said: “We only have two-and-a-half months left to get to 100,000 signatures and have come to a halt after a fab start.

“It means the world to me that other children are taught basic signs of some sort and making this compulsory will make a huge difference to not only Christian but thousands and thousands of children with disabilities who use some sort of signs to help them to communicate.

“If you add in their friends and family, we are talking millions that this will have a positive impact on. Please help me to make this change: no one should have to be restricted because of communication difficulties.

“My little brother is everything to me: he’s incredible, the challenges he faces with determination and courage every day inspires me so much, he is the most friendly and joyful little soul and my greatest fear is that he is socially isolated or doesn’t have the same opportunities to form friendships and relationships as others.

“I really want to make a change; please help me achieve this goal and sign my petition.”

To sign the petition, visit:

• petition.parliament.uk/petitions/239893