Building communication for greater autonomy

Communication is so important when it comes to having choice and control over how you live your life. When Munawar joined us in June 2023, he had been out of education for over 3 years and struggled to communicate. Without a way to express his needs, desires, or emotions, everyday activities were frustrating, and learning new skills was challenging.

The first step was introducing several communication systems to see if Munawar showed a preference. This included objects of reference, a communication book, exchange systems, and Makaton. Initially, Munawar showed little interest in any of these methods, and we recognised that it would take time, patience, and the right strategy to help him engage with these tools.

Breakthroughs in communication

With communication as the focus of Munawar’s learning, we introduced target teaching sessions to support his use of Makaton, a widely used visual sign language system. Through consistent practice and gentle guidance, Munawar learned his first sign, “food”, during the spring term of 2024. This was a significant breakthrough.

Since then, Munawar has made further progress, learning to sign “jump” and “iPad” with minimal support. He now engages with his teachers and looks to communicate with them. When staff model a sign, Munawar eagerly puts out his hands, inviting them to help guide him through the motion. This collaboration between Munawar and staff highlights his growing understanding and progress.

A desire to communicate

Munawar’s newfound ability to sign has had a profound impact. He is beginning to use icons to share his likes and dislikes, allowing him to make choices and communicate preferences, further empowering him to take control over his day-to-day life.

Not only is he communicating his basic needs, but he is also building stronger connections with those around him. His mum shared her joy, saying, “He’s so safe now, I’m so relieved. We live on the second floor, and he used to run up the stairs, but now he’s not running anymore. He listens when I say ‘Stop.’ He’s making eye contact, and when people come to the house, they notice the difference. I’m so happy, 100%, with Park House.”

While Munawar is not yet signing at home, his progress at school has led to positive changes in his behaviour and communication. Our next step is to work closely with his family providing sign training, enabling them to support his communication skills at home as well as school.

From a child who had no established communication method and was out of education for three years, it is incredible to see the progress that Munawar has made. We are excited to continue working with Munawar, building on his communication skills to further support his journey towards greater independence.