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Bookworm84,
I would like to share a little insight as a professional who has had the privilege of diagnosing/treating/working with people with Autism/Aspergers, and with their families (my respects to MysticCat also). Having the benefit of many, many years of training and experience, I'd like to offer the following:
- a hallmark of ASD is difficulty with perspective taking and theory of mind, as well as insight. this may explain or help understand the challenges faced by both people on the spectrum, as well as those who interact with them and do not understand how challenging life is when one does not have those innate social skills. The recruitment process may well have been quite challenging for you (as well as the sororities you visited).
- there are literally thousands of "social skills" - which is why I prefer to address "social thinking", the underlying ability to develop perspective and to interact effectively with non-ASD people. If I had to teach every social skill, I would have clients in therapy for their lifetimes.
- Look Me In The Eye contains a chapter which, IMO, is the best explanation of ASD persons' difficulty understanding verbal and non-verbal language that I've ever read. I did not write this book and have no financial interest in it (I won't benefit if you buy a copy, so I recommend you go to the library and check it out).
- communication is more than 90% non-verbal (I've read that it is actually 96% non-verbal, according to some published reports).
having said all that, the bottom line appears to be that grades were a major stumbling block in your recruitment experience. I know that grades are of the highest importance and that, more than anything else, may be the explanation you're seeking.
No judgment of anyone here, just an honest effort to be supportive and (I hope) somewhat helpful and educational.
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