MODES OF COMMUNICATION

Signed English is a system of signing that matches a sign with each spoken English word. Following the same grammar as English, it was developed for language development.

Signed English uses some Auslan signs.

For Signed English, you sign every word. You can use Signed English with speech or without.

Our Signed English courses are delivered in public schedules, dedicated or customised.

Example:

English: The boy sat on the chair

Signed English: The boy sat on the chair

Key Word Sign was formerly Makaton.

Key Word Sign is a signing system used by hearing people who have Complex Communication Needs (CCN) and borrows only the signs from Auslan.

It is not a language but rather one of the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) modes.

Key Word Sign used with speech enhances understanding and communication.  Using between 2 to 3 signs per sentence.

In Key Word Sign you speak at the same time as signing.

Our Key Word Sign courses are delivered in both public schedules, dedicated or customised.

Example:
English: The boy sat on the chair
Key Word Sign: The boy sat on the chair

Do you work in a primary school, kindy or pre-primary class?

Are you a teacher or an education assistant?

Do you work with students that have minimal to severe expressive or receptive communication difficulties?

Have you previously participated in a Visual Communication Consultants – Key Word Sign for Beginners Workshop?

Well, this workshop is for you. Early Education Workshops are for anyone who works with children who have expressive and or receptive communication difficulties. Did you know that Key Word Sign, used in Early Education with students with minimal to severe communication disabilities and their peers, establishes positive friendships.

Signs are carefully chosen to support children in these very important early years.

Each participant will learn signs specific to Early Education both inside and outside the classroom.

Participants will receive hard copies of over 100 signs specific to early education. Participants will learn how to sign popular Nursery Rhymes, stories and action songs.

The Early Education Workshop is offered in both a  Customised and  a Dedicated Workshop.

Key Word Sign customised courses are delivered one on one or in small groups.

There are many people with disabilities preparing or are already living independently in our community. These people may or may not already know how to communicate using ‘Key Word Sign’.

People living with communication difficulties and disabilities are at higher risk of depression and mental health illness due to not being able to communicate their needs.

These people may be able to communicate using Key Word Sign but their support workers, respite carers don’t. This is very limiting and frustrating for the person with limited communication skills.

This customised training will teach parents, carers, guardians or individuals with disability themselves Key Word Signs and how to use it daily to enhance and support communication. Michelle will work closely with families to customise a block of training that is specific to meeting everyone’s communication needs.

Our customised training option is a preferred way to learn for families as it can be delivered in your own home or at a place that is familiar to you.

Participants will learn signs specific to their lives whilst teaching people that work and live with them. This includes but is not limited to living alone, paying bills, making an appointment, making a shopping list, public transport, following timetables, baby signs etc

Participants will also learn other Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) modes.

This training is delivered as a Dedicated Workshop.