A lack of correlation between an objective measurable state, and a subjective evaluation will never be a good indication of much.<p>Given that autism does not have a gold standard biological or chemical test, the chances that it is a cluster of untreated diseases with overlapping symptoms is possible (if not likely).<p>This doesn't affect the validity of a persons problems, but that does mean that articles like this will continue to be released and cause confusion.
If you are curious about the history and current state of Autism Spectrum Disorder/Difference, Neurotribes by Steve Silberman was helpful to me. A fun thing I learned is that Oliver Sacks and Temple Grandin were friends.