Exactly.

People assume its an insult, because they assume someone calling themself or another an autist… is deragatory.

Which only makes sense if you presume that it is bad to be autistic or an autist.

… Many autists do not see it this way.

They are offended by the idea that somebody would think it is an insult, though.

“Bro, what are you, gay?”

“Yes.”

That’s the kind of ‘energy’ or ‘vibes’ going on there.