So true. In my case my social life wasn't too bad because, as I got older, and gained confidence, I participate more in group activities at school. When I say social life I don't mean lots and lots of friends because I only had 1-2 close friends all through school. I just mean social experience.
But, I *wasn't* at school for a social life. I was supposed to be there to learn. My desire to interact and communicate was *SO* strong, and could not be met in the classroom, so I made up for it in other activities offered at school. I compensated. 
I had a sense of needing to belong somewhere, even back then, yet knowing, all along, that I never did no matter *how* involved I was (at school). In other words, I *knew* I was different. Felt I was different. It was like I say in another thread that I was looking for *my* people.
I hated the classroom (except for grade 3). I spent the entire day trying to understand what teacher is saying. Translating words in my head all the time. Then, re-reading lessons when I am come home so I could try to understand what was being taught. Want to do good in school and make parents proud that I'm not 'stupid' or 'handicapped.' Want them to not give me away again. It was like going to school twice each day. It was very tiring and even worse when I go to high school and have 5-6 different teachers to lip read each day.
I imagine, sometimes, how wonderful my educational experience would have been had I been educated with *my* people instead of someone elses.
