Why does ASD = mean and unkind?

[lougle]

I've noticed an increasing trend of posts on the main board querying ASD in a relative, on the grounds of mean and unkind behaviour. Why is that? It's certainly not in the diagnostic criteria!

People who think autism is characterised by being mean and unkind, are often quite mean and unkind in their attitudes towards autistic people.

Freud would say it's the projection unconscious prejudices. Boch's gran would probably say it shows why those in glass houses really shouldn't throw stones.