Hi,
I wanted to introduce myself, I came across this forum while looking into learning to sign properly.
My truth is I struggle to communicate with certain people and in certain situations, over the years I had gotten used to being ignored or having others shout/talk over me so I stopped talking then eventually ceased to bother socialising at all, this happened from an early age and progressed into adulthood, I'm 35 now. I felt frustrated and withdrawn, I could see in the attitudes of others around me that I was seen to be incapable and oftentimes stupid because I couldn't speak or act in the way I was expected to.
Recently I started hanging out with some fellow people with additional needs and I realised I wasn't alone in what I was feeling or going through and I had never felt more "me" than ever just by sitting down and saying nothing, being accepted and enjoying some food. I can sign a few single words, which suits me for now, and I'm looking forward to learning more from this forum and its members.
Thanks for reading.
Kyle.