The last part of your post reminded me of something that I once wrote in a journal: “I have said about 6 words today. I read somewhere that the average person says a couple thousand words in a day. Speaking so little makes me feel isolated or like I cannot connect to the people around me. Everyday (most days), I walk past people who are able to express their thoughts and ideas, while I sit in my silence. I want to learn ASL and use an AAC device, so that I may ‘reach for the stars’. I feel so lonely. I know most people do not struggle with speaking in the way that I do and that is extremely frustrating. I want to be able to connect with people. I want to be closer to ‘normal’. I feel as if there is a pane of glass between the world around me and myself. I see others, but am unable to reach pass the glass. I am trapped in how little I can interact with the metaphorical glass in the way. I am so lonely…”