Smart...but *utterly* unaware of what the world is about.You could even say "the lights are on but nobody's home".
Autism is a genetic disorder. It's a *crippling* disorder.
And autism renders this girls words...her ideas...utterly worthless.
There is more going on with her than autism. There are other ‘environmental’ issues at play too.
I’m on the autistic spectrum myself and I can say that ‘crippling’ is the right word to use.
Her parents turning her into a sideshow attraction instead of getting her help that she needs just makes things worse.