To me the point of the phrase was to counter prejudice and gatekeeping. "You can't be autistic because I know another autistic person who does the opposite," is

To me the point of the phrase was to counter prejudice and gatekeeping. "You can't be autistic because I know another autistic person who does the opposite," is a sentiment that autistic people in my life have encountered. It doesn't extend to researchers because (arguably) researchers aren't in the business of telling people that because they are uncomfortable with behaviors associated with autism.