Everyone deserves the opportunity to communicate, connect, and be understood. For many families, finding the right tools to support communication can feel overwhelming. Signalong offers a practical, accessible approach that helps children and adults express themselves with confidence.
Craig Hardie first heard of Signalong in 2022 when his sons Speech and Language Therapist suggested Craig try it after Mikey, his non-verbal son had only said a couple random words in 7 years.
Using Signalong
Craig expressed that before Signalong, trying to communicate effectively was frustrating for him as a parent and upsetting for Mikey, often resulting in meltdowns. Before trying Signalong, they tried using symbols but they had little effect. Craig stated that Mikey would often lash out when a need or request wasn’t being responded to. Craig added “it was also hard as a parent knowing those trying to support him in school were not always recognising or understanding his attempts to communicate”.
When asked about the key benefits Craig has experienced from using Signalong, he commented “Engaging others in meaningful communication is incredibly rewarding, especially when you see people with communication difficulties gain independence by making their own choices and being truly heard. It’s also easy to learn, once someone has mastered how signs are formed, they can go on to learn any sign.”
Becoming a Tutor
Craig became a Tutor after getting frustrated with the lack of access to recognised Signalong training and awareness of Signalong in Southern Scotland. He noted there was a void for families with older children and adults who could really benefit from Signalong, especially after seeing the impact Signalong had on his family. Craig added “Having also worked within our local authority enhanced provision setting for children with complex needs I was struck at how inconsistently signing was used across the schools for those with communication difficulties.”
After speaking to fellow parent carers of young children and adults with additional needs craig became aware of further challenges and barriers to communication with many being unable to access any Signalong training locally or not really understanding it or knowing who to turn to for advice. This alongside Craig’s own experience led him to reach out to us to discuss becoming a Signalong Tutor. Craig commented “I’d done a 3-hour workshop online with Signalong a year earlier then self-taught other signs I used at home having purchased a core vocabulary Signalong manual from the website. I thought long and hard about becoming a tutor as it is costly but as a parent self-funding there is a slight reduction in the course fee.”
When asked why Craig wanted to become a Signalong Tutor he said “I really wanted to help other families and young people who have communication difficulties access Signalong. I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge and experience as I’ve seen the benefits it can bring first hand this was my main motivation for upskilling to a registered tutor as it means I can plug a gap in what’s accessible locally for families and organisations looking for in-person training and support."
The Personal Impact of Using Signalong for Craig
When asked how Signalong has impacted Craig’s life, he commented “personally as a family, it’s given us a platform to now effectively communicate with Mikey. It’s given my son his own voice he now has the basics of a sign support language he can use to request things, whether that’s a drink, to go outside or if he needs the toilet.”
Craig added “Really importantly for me it means I can now engage him in basic conversation, with practice and regular modelling of Signing he is now using it in other settings like at school and at his grandparents’ house. Since introducing Signalong there has been a marked reduction in his challenging behaviours that often arose from frustration and failed communication between Mikey and those around him.”
Signalong Tutor Training Course
Craig joined our online Tutor Training Course in December 2025. Craig stated “As a parent I have to say it is a big step to book onto a course but it’s totally worth it. On my Tutor course I was the only parent, everyone else was a professional some with may years’ experience of communication difficulties. At times I did feel a little out of my depth with the theory as everyone else seemed to know it but the course Tutor was really supportive and ensured the training was pitched at a level where I didn’t feel overwhelmed.”
Signalong Tutor Training is a 4-day course which covers all aspects of communication before learning about the history, philosophy & methodology of Signalong. Participants demonstrate their understanding of teaching techniques and theory by preparing and delivering several presentations. Generalisation, key words and symbolic understanding are also covered. You will walk away with an understanding of how to perform any of our signs and how to teach others. Craig commented “Day one covers a lot of the theory behind Signalong and communication in general and it was really interesting and definitely has helped me understand the why behind how Signalong can be used and why it began, this knowledge helps when supporting others to learn the basics.”
Do you recommend becoming a Signalong Tutor to other parents?
When asked if Craig would recommend Signalong to others in a similar situation, Craig commented “Yes, I would recommend Signalong to others, it opens so many doors for people and can bring families and communities together.
As a parent, I’ve learnt Signalong, modelled it with Mikey, and waited to see if it was going to help, even when professionals involved in his care suggested it wasn’t going to go anywhere. I can say after a couple of years persevering, I now have a 7-year-old who despite his Complex needs is able to sign about 4 key words consistently and continues to show real progress with other signs.
To find out more about Tutor Training or other Signalong courses, email admin@signalong.org.uk.