is there a stigma to it?
Stigmas associated with sign languages and the use of sign for educating children often lead to the absence of sign during periods in children's lives when they can access languages most effectively.
American Sign Language
Stigmas associated with sign languages and the use of sign for educating children often lead to the absence of sign during periods in children's lives when they can access languages most effectively. 
when was asl recognized as an official language UNANSWERABLE who created it? Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet how is it classified? It brought together Old French Sign Language, various village sign languages, and home sign systems; ASL was created in that situation by language contact. do you know what percentage of the population uses it? UNANSWERABLE
wiki:1572039
American Sign Language [SEP] Stigma
In 2013 the White House published a response to a petition that gained over 37,000 signatures to "officially recognize American Sign Language as a community language and a language of instruction in schools". The response is titled "there shouldn't be any stigma about American Sign Language" and addressed that ASL is a vital language for the Deaf and hard of hearing. Stigmas associated with sign languages and the use of sign for educating children often lead to the absence of sign during periods in children's lives when they can access languages most effectively. Scholars such as Beth S. Benedict advocate not only for bilingualism (using ASL and English training) but also for early childhood intervention for children who are deaf.