Thinking out loud:
Not an expert here just positing. Is autism more likely in offspring of more intelligent couples?
If so, could it be a somewhat flawed method of dumbing down the next generation?
Let's face it, not all autists are capable of handling themselves on their own and most with difficulty.
A) Drains resources and time. Keeps parents and society distracted and strained.Also undermines their faith.
and
B) Weakens the overall output of the next generation.
Just a theory - we are talking about people who have "cures" conduct assassination, market crashes and attempt to start wear of apocalypse.
Extrapolate from there and what may be true is so much worse and devious.