Most autistic children (or adults) do not belong on the list that you provided. How the parents would love it if they did. As the grandparent of a severely autistic child, I shudder to think of him in the intelligence division of an army. It reminds me of Al Qaeda thugs who put suicide vests on retarded children and goad them into exploding them (true cases).
Indeed, although I’ve heard of a few of the individuals one your list as possiblly having autism, most of them were considered perfectly normal members of society in their lifetimes.
What is the source of your list? George Washington, for instance, was highly social and the favorite guest of all of the Virginia hostesses — hardly the “stuff” of Asperger’s. Ben Franklin was the Bon Vivant of Paris and London. Did somebody just make up a list of successful people and slap the “dignosis” of Asperger’s on them? I cry foul on your list.
http://incorrectpleasures.blogspot.com/2006/09/referenced-list-of-famous-or-important.html
Referenced list of 175 famous people diagnosed as autistic or subject of published speculation about autism/Asperger syndrome (AS)
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Understanding_Communication_Patterns_in_Adults_with_Asperger_s_Syndrome.html
George Washington, the first president of the United States of America. Aspie signs: George grew marijuana in his own garden (Botham, 2006, p. 2). Many adults with undiagnosed or misdiagnosed Asperger’s Syndrome or Attention Deficit Disorder, self medicate in order to “soothe their restless brains and bodies,” (Richardson, 1998, p. 1). He was extremely terrified of being buried alive, therefore, he dictated that he be “laid out for three days just to be sure he was dead,” (Botham, 2006, p. 2). Perseverative fears and bizarre adherence to seemingly ineffectual rules or rituals are common in people with Asperger’s Syndrome and autism. People on the Aspie team, perceive or think about the world differently than others (Attwood, 2006, p. 2). George reportedly had to borrow money, in order to attend his own inauguration ceremonies (Botham, 2006, p. 2). Difficulties with money management, pack rack tendencies, and/or impulsively giving possessions away are common traits in the Aspie race (Fattig, 2007).
http://www.myaspergerschild.com/2010/10/potential-genius-of-aspergers.html
http://www.aspergerssyndromeparent.com/famous-people-with-aspergers.html
http://www.aspergerstestsite.com/898/famous-people-autism/#.U07Xf8JOVjo
http://aspergerssyndromeandbehavior.blogspot.com/2010/04/history-of-aspergers-syndrome.html
http://www.aspergerrus.com/educators.html