In the last two weeks, I spoke at two universities, prepared two elaborate brochures, and continued analyzing research dealing with online communities and autism. To be blunt: I’m exhausted. And yet, tonight or tomorrow I will submit another proposal to present my research to a conference.<\/p>\n
Though I am tired, I also think my efforts are making a difference. That makes the discomfort, the nervousness, the anxiety, all worth it. Maybe one parent or teacher will learn something that will improve the educational experience of a strange student like me!<\/p>\n
I have done much better this year when speaking to groups on autism and developmental disorders.<\/strong><\/p>\n Maybe I’m more comfortable with the notion that I’m not “normal” and that’s just the way life is. More comfortable isn’t the same as “at ease” when speaking. But, I am doing better in public forums.<\/p>\n Best of all, I received a thank-you note tonight from a professor. That did mean a lot to me. Maybe I’m not as emotional about it as some would be, but I appreciate the fact someone took the time to tell me I was worth hearing. That’s nice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In the last two weeks, I spoke at two universities, prepared two elaborate brochures, and continued analyzing research dealing with online communities and autism. To be blunt: I’m exhausted. And yet, tonight or tomorrow I will submit another proposal to present my research to a conference. Though I am tired,…<\/p>\n