More Than Words - communication

Jan Lawson
Wednesday, March 29, 2000

The 'welcome session' at the Rainbow Centre is an opportunity to develop the communication skills of our special needs children, who are split into two groups in the morning depending on their needs. During the session staff member Sandra asks each of the three children in her group (see box) whether they would like her to sing the 'hello' song to them. As she asks, she uses direct eye contact and the sign language Makaton. The children 'answer' in a variety of ways. One little boy puts his hand on his chest which is the Makaton sign for 'me'; another looks at another member of staff, 'Are you making eye contact?' asks Sandra, while a little girl in a special supportive chair presses a red pad which says the word 'yes'.