There is a pretty significant distinction between "retarded" and "autistic", in that the former (as commonly used) is pretty much purely derogative, but the lat

There is a pretty significant distinction between "retarded" and "autistic", in that the former (as commonly used) is pretty much purely derogative, but the latter here clearly means something like "technically correct but not suitably communicated" - a much more nuanced attribute. Yes, we could probably get by without using medical conditions to illustrate points we make. But that doesn't mean every such use is damaging.