SocraticKnowledge
Well-Known Member
Good Afternoon,
To those that don't know me, I "joined" this forum three years ago. I was a completely different person back then. Today, I am re-introducing myself as a 29 year old and potential advocate for adults with Autism. My credentials are as follows:
-6 years of experience in the teaching profession (9-12 Concepts of Engineering)
-Graduate Student: M.Ed Educational Leadership (High School Principalship)
-Candidate for 3rd Degree Black-belt with United Tae-Kwon-Do
-Parental Advisory Committee presenter and Keynote Speaker for Local School District
-Presidential Award for Outstanding Academic Success conferred by President George W. Bush
-Robotics UIL Coach
-Software Developer (Open Source Engines implementing Open-GL, etc.)
-Independent Adult with Autism
For the first three decades of my life, I felt like an outcast among outcasts; many associates of mine were engineers, skilled Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) practitioners, etc. Out of everyone with Autism, it was hard to find anyone else who went into education. Six years later, and I found myself with outstanding communication skills for someone my age. Not only that, but my students respect my ability to teach, as well as my supervisors. Also, as far as Tae Kwon Do is concerned, I learned to believe in myself regardless of what others say. When I recently attended a popular kickboxing session, the instructor, who has taught professional UFC fighters, commented on my extremely skilled fighting technique. I ultimately decided that it does not matter what the world thinks of people; integrity is crucial to success.
More importantly, success is often desired by people on the Autism Spectrum, to the extent that other values, such as Altruism, Empathy, and Care are typically neglected. In my mind, and in the mind of my most trusted friends, success is a wonderful tool, but how we treat others is essentially one of the most important elements.
If anyone seeks advice on how to be successful, I would first ask him or her to practice integrity; what we do outside of the spotlight determines how we will perform in the end. Sadly, I have met many people with Autism around my age that focus on trivial matters, but as my instructor told me long ago, "It is not about the number of notches on the belt, but rather the man behind the belt". My ultimate vision as I exist on this earth is to promote confidence among the Autism community, and to let people know that regardless of their levels of success, everyone has an equal choice of how they want to live their lives, either to sacrifice the present for the future, or the future for the present. In the end, it will be how we chose to assist others that will matter; everything else is just a tool to accomplish those means.
As far as my purpose, I am supposed to inspire others, to let them know that they matter greatly. If anyone needs advice regarding responsibilities, careers, etc., just let me know.
Thank You.
-SocraticKnowledge
To those that don't know me, I "joined" this forum three years ago. I was a completely different person back then. Today, I am re-introducing myself as a 29 year old and potential advocate for adults with Autism. My credentials are as follows:
-6 years of experience in the teaching profession (9-12 Concepts of Engineering)
-Graduate Student: M.Ed Educational Leadership (High School Principalship)
-Candidate for 3rd Degree Black-belt with United Tae-Kwon-Do
-Parental Advisory Committee presenter and Keynote Speaker for Local School District
-Presidential Award for Outstanding Academic Success conferred by President George W. Bush
-Robotics UIL Coach
-Software Developer (Open Source Engines implementing Open-GL, etc.)
-Independent Adult with Autism
For the first three decades of my life, I felt like an outcast among outcasts; many associates of mine were engineers, skilled Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) practitioners, etc. Out of everyone with Autism, it was hard to find anyone else who went into education. Six years later, and I found myself with outstanding communication skills for someone my age. Not only that, but my students respect my ability to teach, as well as my supervisors. Also, as far as Tae Kwon Do is concerned, I learned to believe in myself regardless of what others say. When I recently attended a popular kickboxing session, the instructor, who has taught professional UFC fighters, commented on my extremely skilled fighting technique. I ultimately decided that it does not matter what the world thinks of people; integrity is crucial to success.
More importantly, success is often desired by people on the Autism Spectrum, to the extent that other values, such as Altruism, Empathy, and Care are typically neglected. In my mind, and in the mind of my most trusted friends, success is a wonderful tool, but how we treat others is essentially one of the most important elements.
If anyone seeks advice on how to be successful, I would first ask him or her to practice integrity; what we do outside of the spotlight determines how we will perform in the end. Sadly, I have met many people with Autism around my age that focus on trivial matters, but as my instructor told me long ago, "It is not about the number of notches on the belt, but rather the man behind the belt". My ultimate vision as I exist on this earth is to promote confidence among the Autism community, and to let people know that regardless of their levels of success, everyone has an equal choice of how they want to live their lives, either to sacrifice the present for the future, or the future for the present. In the end, it will be how we chose to assist others that will matter; everything else is just a tool to accomplish those means.
As far as my purpose, I am supposed to inspire others, to let them know that they matter greatly. If anyone needs advice regarding responsibilities, careers, etc., just let me know.
Thank You.
-SocraticKnowledge
