Parents and children recently have been meeting around the East Bay to learn sign language, and Saturday's informal gathering was the first such meeting for Dana and ToriBeth, whose multiple disabilities have slowed her communication development.

The Hamiltons joined dozens of parents and children at the church, where their learning was mixed with socializing with families encountering similar issues.

"Here she sees other kids who also have a hearing aid, too," said Dana Hamilton of Hayward. "And I've been talking with other parents. It lets you know you're not the only one."

While organizers said these parent meetings have been held in Berkeley and Walnut Creek in recent months, Fremont is a natural destination for a sign language course. The California School for the Deaf celebrated its 25th anniversary in Fremont earlier this month, although ithas had a Bay Area presence since its 1860 inception.

Many of the children at Saturday's meeting are hearing impaired or have other disabilities that hamper communication, but still others simply want to learn an important language skill, such as Spanish or Italian.

"They say French is the love language, that it's a beautiful language," said Sherry Anderson, of Fremont.

"Signing is the same. It's a beautiful language, too."
None of Anderson's children is hearing impaired, yet the mother of four sees an inherent value in learning sign language.

She tells of the time that her 3-year-old daughter, Stephanie, used hand gestures to express anger at her older brother for taking one of her toys.

"She couldn't tell me with words, but she 'signed' it to me," said Anderson, a member of New Hope Community Church, which donated the gathering space Saturday.

"If you can teach toddlers sign language, they can tell you what they want instead of crying. And there go the terrible twos."

Anderson's 15-year-old daughter, Jennifer Yates, said learning sign language has opened doors to a new world that she otherwise would not have found.

She said that learning the new form of communication has given her new friends and experiences.

"It's kind of like traveling," Yates said. "But instead of going to a different country or state, it's like going to a new community in the same place."

By Chris De Benedetti
http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_3236536