I often hear the term "on the autism spectrum", apparently referring to different intensities of it. There is a guy in our condo association who apparently is on the autism spectrum, but is able to function reasonably well. Most people don't like him because he doesn't say "hello" when passing in the hallway (my reaction - what?!?!?!).
Anyway I was president of our association for many years until I was finally able to hand that responsibility to a very capable woman who has a real interest in our association. During the time I was president, the couple needed some work done in their condo, so they decided to do some remodeling, and had to involve me and our management company in the approvals. During that process, I was able to talk to the husband, David. When we discovered that we had both been software engineers, doing similar work, he couldn't talk enough. He is a fascinating guy, was a professor at Stanford as well as doing advanced development work, and now teaches math part time at one of the local private universities. To me, he is a friendly, brilliant man.
To most in our association, he is unfriendly and standoffish. My knows something about autism and said that this is a typical situation. If you can establish safe common ground, you can form a relationship. It is unfortunate that some people judge quickly and harshly, and I have tried to change minds about David around here to no avail.
Tony