Ali Pennington

Discover how Makaton training supports communication across healthcare, supported living, and early years settings. In this Makaton tutor diary, I share real-life experiences delivering a hospital-based Makaton workshop for nursing staff, online training sessions, and practical insights to help beginners learn Makaton and use it confidently in everyday situations.

"My wonderful daughter is autistic and non verbal, communication was difficult in her early years. I saw all of the amazing work Ali has done within the community, schools, care providers and businesses etc for providing Makaton training. I attended a Makaton training event provided by Ali and within minutes, I learned so much. I was worried at first that it would be really difficult to learn but Ali made me feel at ease...

Creating a Makaton-friendly environment is about more than signs — it’s about fostering confidence, independence, and inclusion. Every small step, from visual supports to consistent staff use, builds a space where everyone can be understood.