alt Hacker NewsNo it's not over exaggerated at all. Autism is highly prevalent and everywhere. The industry made a mistake, it originally assumed autism was a rare condition, but now we're starting to see that it's a personality trait because it's so common. We're coming to similar realizations for other things like the concept of gender as well as society modernizes and gets rid of out-dated thinking practices.
Autism is not a personality trait. Many people are severely disabled by it and are essentially non-functional.
Only about 15-20% have full time jobs. The suicide rate is incredibly, almost unbelievably, high. I think it was something like 80% have attempted suicide.
Personally I think we need more subtypes again. Its weird to lump high functioning aspergers folks like the richest man in the world into the same category as those who have to wear helmets and be physically prevented from harming themselves.