That's because it can be a really big deal (level 3) and that is probably the level most people think of when they hear "autism".
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Autism Forums
FayetheADHDsquirrel
Tony Ramirez
Exactly. I have level 1 and many people I talk to IRL don't know I have it unless I tell them exactly that I am autistic.
Gerald Wilgus
I was just the "weird" one. Unfortunately I was intelligent enough that my peers thought my social isolation was a choice and that left me struggling from the social deficit as a young adult. The neglect was a big deal to me.
FayetheADHDsquirrel
I think most realize there is a difference but unless they are familiar with the higher functioning presentations, many tend to either see us as odd and perhaps even creepy or else see us as weaker and easier to pick on or take advantage of in some way.