by some definitions an autistic person is one who is unable to communicate well with "normal" human beings
a person who is autistic generally is extremely introverted, can have fixations on certain things, trains, toys, stories, etc.
autistic children sometimes express artistic gifts, and gifts of other sorts, mainly the gift of focus. where they can focus their limitless attention on only one thing.
i also have a cousin who was clinically labelled autistic.
i sometimes think i may be autistic. but i think erasmus hit the nail, i could suffer from aspergers. with a strict abhoration for close personal contact. which i've grown out of, but it was pretty severe, to the point where the term hypochondriac was thrown around. (much to my amusement)
one of the things they say about those kinds of people is that they are able to conjure up and live in vibrant fantasy worlds which normal people would have trouble grasping even when the autistic person attempts to explain the very deep and intricate inner worlds they create.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism
depending on how severe the lack of social adjustment the autistic person has, they may be able to be trained to live in society and care for themselves. it seems that although on of the staple labels attributed to the autistic person, helpless, may not be applicable to all who are forced to wear the hat. some people who exhibit signs of being autistic may well be able to care for themselves and families of their own.
it may not be a disease but apparently it is "curable" or "reversable". as if it is a stage in development most people grow out of but these people seem to be stuck in until they are awakened into full adulthood.
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don't call me skinny! i'm just ...

<<< ... aerodynamic!
its in my initials, an anagram.. seriously!