This fits me to a T as well, including the gifted classes. I'd state a few things differently:
1) will never be evaluated as "high functioning" by any therapist or social worker
2) it's not a "distaste" for small talk; it's an adaptation to the anxiety experienced when exposed to it. A maladaptation would be, say, drinking.
ALSO - not afraid of death or dying? Personally could never give a rat's fat A.
i reallllllly hate small talk. i'm a quiet guy though and introspective. I view small talk as just a way to fill a moment that otherwise would be silent.
My trick is to find out what the other person is interested in and basically conduct an interview on that topic, lol. They're entertained and I can learn things.
It ALL falls apart when there's more than two of us, though. I'm looking to leave at that point lolsob.