Nor did I imply that it was. Eccentric behavior was not treated as a disease in the past, however. It was somewhat expected of genius or rare artistic talent.
Autism has a downside even unto complete inability to function in the world, normal physical or emotional stimulus are just too much and they retreat into their own inner world. There is a spectrum, from genuine disability on up to so-called Asperger’s. Social interaction and reading emotions are an issue across the spectrum.
Most are highly intelligent. Most have an obsession.
I have OCD.
I count everything, all the time.
I remember how many beeps signify that the microwave is done...and the tone of the beeps... for every microwave I have ever had. And I remember lots of other useless crap.