The issue with articles that try to discuss "autism" as a whole tend to ignore that the wide spectrum of people diagnosed makes it impossible to generalize. The child in class who is considered quirky and exhibits a few rather harmless traits shares the same diagnosis as my child who is entirely non-verbal and exhibits self-injurious behavior.

The difference between someone considered "high-functioning" and "low-functioning" is often dramatic.

Until we separate the spectrum into a more distinct subset of disabilities (as well as abilities), the autism community will continue to be fractured into those who consider their autism a gift that want to "keep" their autism pitting themselves against the families of the most severely impacted who are advocating for those who often can't speak for themselves.