Margaret Buttifant - Makaton Tutor

Margaret Buttifant is a qualified Makaton Regional Tutor. Although her background is in primary school teaching, she worked for several years in an Opportunity group for pre-school children with physical/learning disabilities, and more recently with adults who have learning disabilities and challenging behaviour.

Margaret is trained in "The use of Makaton in Protection and Abuse". She is also able to "translate" documents into symbol format to make them more readily accessible for those who are unable to read e.g. residential care home policies and procedures, complaints procedures, care plans. (Disability Discrimination Act)

Margaret is available to provide training to staff in the workplace, to develop the use of Makaton with students in schools or colleges, or to provide advice and support to families. She works independently, therefore is able to travel to any location.

Margaret can provide workshops for

  • professionals
  • parents and carers
  • fringe users (e.g. managers, doctors, and others who may have limited but regular contact with Makaton users)
  • revision of signs and symbols for those who have already received some training

What is Makaton

Makaton is a complete method of communication that uses

Signs ~ Speech ~ Written symbols

It helps children and adults with learning difficulties and communication problems to understand and be understood by those who live and work with them, and the community in which they live.

Everybody has the right to communication in whichever format is most suitable for them, and for Makaton users, signing and symbols help to reinforce their understanding of the world around them.

Symbols can be used in many ways - e.g.

  • to reinforce the spoken and signed word
  • to show directions
  • to clarify written documents or instructions


For further information contact:

Margaret Buttifant
Regional Tutor
01342 316254