I saw some unusual speculation, that what could roughly be called “focused rationality” is actually a flawed genetic mutation. That is, that the autism spectrum actually includes rational intellectualism. So the entire range would incorporate:
intelligence—high intelligence—genius level—Aspergers—and then autism.
Even when autism first came to light, it was noted that often, both parents of an autistic child were unusually intelligent, at least based on their education. (But education is not synonymous with intelligence.)
This suggests a common genetic pattern, that if one parent has a trait, it only comes out “halfway” in their children; but if both parents have the trait, it is fully expressed.
I don’t know. I certainly don’t consider myself highly intelligent but I had severe sensory issues, although no one knew what sensory issues were 58 years ago. Some of them remain. At times I think my husband acts as though he has Aspergers. I highly suspect my son was a high functioning Aspergers kid but outgrew it or learned to cope. His wife has a severe case ADHD and severe Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, EDS is suspected of increasing the chances of having a child with autism.Their son is has severe autism.