COMMUNICATION Our total communication environment ensures that specialist support is embedded in all aspects of the school day. We understand how crucial it is to empower our young people to master a variety of means to communicate. This will enable them to engage in meaningful interactions and exert choice and autonomy over their world. This is crucial to ensure each learner can be as independent as possible; from making choices about what food they would like to eat to applying for a job interview.The whole school community at Forest Way benefit from specialist support services, including on-site support from a trained Communication Technician and Makaton Tutor and specialist Speech and Language Therapists.Jo Rayns is our qualified Makaton Tutor and a Communication Technician who has taught the Makaton Language programme online and in a wide range of settings for professionals, carers and parents. Jo has worked in special education for over 20 years, and has a wealth of experience in supporting the use of Makaton and other forms of alternative and augmentative communication (AAC), for example, visual supports, social stories and electronic devices to support our students with all aspects of communication.