There are 2 types of autism from what I know. Speaking and Intelligence. For example, a neighbor of my sister in law has 2 sons. Both with autism. One does not speak, just using grunts and hand gestures. The other speaks but is still very "childlike" in intelligence, speaking out and saying inappropriate things.

My husband is on the lower end of the spectrum, where he also cannot read social cues (face and body language, tell when something is a joke, etc), but is highly intelligent and loves computers. For him, he is outgoing and loves to make friends, though he has terrible focus on stuff (getting him to do anything but the MSQ is impossble, and sometimes in dungeons his attention wavers so he can die in AoEs or just stands there, motionless).

Personally, I don't think it is proper to just tell a stranger you have X or Y issue. I find human beings to be judgemental, even if subconsciously. If you can find a group of like minded people, sure!

To the OP, if those you have spoekn with drifted off, don't take it personally. It's hard to understand what is going on in their mind. Who knows.