I’m usually timid, soft-spoken, and have ASD. In a lot of group projects I’m in, when I try to contribute to the conversation, I’ll usually be ignored, talked over, or in the worst case have a person respond to me with a half-assed answer in an annoyed tone. Basically, people would do anything that makes me feel excluded. Then when I just let them do their thing because obviously, they don’t want me there, some of them will give me an attitude for not contributing.
What makes it worse is if the teacher makes us do a peer review form where the scores given by peers affect our grades. Obviously, they are going to rate me low and there’s really nothing I could do much about it.
1 comment
This is what I would do if I was in your shoe;
1. I read extensively about the project topic and patiently wait for moments when everyone is struggling to add point, and then I give in my well researched point (Make sure to get it right). The fact that you gave that idea when the whole team were stuck will carry some wait and they will live to remember you.
So at some point when they’re stuck again…all eyes may turn on you. If by luck you had the answer for what they’re looking for, you automatically become a big deal in the team. Your opinion will be valued and that’s how you get the confidence and self-esteem.