I'm not really convinced that "autism" in the broad sense is a thing. It seems primarily to be "social retardation not otherwise specified" at the early end of

I'm not really convinced that "autism" in the broad sense is a thing. It seems primarily to be "social retardation not otherwise specified" at the early end of the spectrum and full "mental retardation not otherwise specified", including inability to speak or read, at the late end. I believe that unfortunately, simple intelligence is placed on the early end of the spectrum, and that it's not a defect that requires treatment. It's just a normal variation.