Jump to content

Hello. Can we talk?


damian

Recommended Posts

Hi, my name is Damian.

I'm currently doing the 'Introducing British Sign Language Online' course with british-sign.co.uk

I was intrigued by sign language for some time. I am a very visual, physically expressive person by nature.

We had a small introduction to makaton for one of the service users with my previous employer a few years ago, and I became certain I wanted to learn more sign language. However, I ended up rarely supporting the woman in question and what I had learned dwindled to about half the alphabet.

One year ago I began supporting a young man who is autistic and non-verbal, using BSL. I see him four or five times a week and I am loving the focus and commitment he has given me. Sure, he will type things on his phone and hold it right up to my face occasionally if need be, or we might use some paper to discuss or draw about something but it feels vital to not depend on that (especially the phone!). Now he trusts me more, he can turn to me for reassurance more readily, he can see I am really trying to learn and is much more patient, teaching me different signs every day. This is now the most satisfying support role I have ever had!

As fantastic as it is, for my signing progress now I would dearly love to find others to practise with who have patience for more conversation with perhaps more expressive 'non-manual' dynamics, because my gentleman's autistic traits do sometimes limit his concentration and range of emotional expression.

Let me know anyone around southeast, cambridge/london area...?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Posts

    • Having an awareness of sign language is so important. Being able to communicate with others and be inclusive is part of what makes us the sociable species we are. Making BSL available to more people and even at school from an early age would help everyone communicate more easily. I'm also learning to keep my mind active and to help with some volunteering I do. 
    • hi i have a question, i have seen sentances structured "name me what ..." or "age me what..."  is the what part nessessary in informal conversations? 
    • Hi, I have wanted to learn BSL for a long time, but have only recently got around to it. I am a rugby player going into cardiac physiology and want to be able to communicate with any patients whose preferred communication method is BSL. Feel free to reach out, as I would love to communicate with others who know BSL.
    • Ready to start your BSL journey with us?!   Join our Evening Level 1 course starting Thursday, 10th July, in Central London! Running for 18 weeks, with Yatz.   For more information or to book your place on the course, visit our website:     www.remark.uk.com/bsl-courses/level-1-thursday-eve-july-2025    
    • Hi my name is Sara I have always been keen to learn BSL, having done small amounts in the past at school/youth groups, but have taken the decision to teach myself now as a hobby mainly but also as a result of starting to suffer from hearing loss at 46. I work at a University and feel it may be a good tool and skill to potentially help any students needing support being a bonus. 
    • thank you for your reply. the full script of what im signing is under the video if that helps. keep going to! I hope your enjoying learning 
    • hi hannah great signing very clear
    • Hi everyone, I have enrolled in this course, due to having a voice condition called Spasmodic dysphonia  making communication extremely difficult on day to day basis . Over the last few years I have been doing a counselling course and feel for me to continue with this I need to have another form of communication. 
  • Fingerspelling Scoreboard

    (top 10 - past 24hrs)

  • Fingerspelling Animation Maker

×
×
  • Create New...