Three (two of which have told me their diagnosys themselves, the third’s as told to me by his parents).
I know them through two of my volunteer jobs.
The son I only saw a couple of times and he was ‘difficult’ to communicate with.
I felt we accomplished more on an emotional level, weirdly enough(?).
The other two persons are both adults.
With the guy I can communicate almost ‘normally’; we relate.
With the gal it is a bit harder; we understand each other, again, better on an emotional level (at least I do).

Then there are some who claim to be autistic (with varying levels of severity), and there are that I diagnosed myself (hardly evidence based).

I know four people on the Spectrum. One I went to high school with, he is able to function in society, excellent photographer made a living shooting pictures of nature. Two others are the youngest son and grand daughter (from oldest daughter) son can hold a job and the grand daughter needs help to function. The fourth was many years ago and I’ve not had contact since then.

@Tropical_Willie interesting you mention that he was an excellent photographer and that he connected with nature. My experience is that the kids I know have an amazing visual and drawing ability. ASCUS is an amazing portal to bring some of these brilliant artists together with the science world.

I’ve had people (who were professionals, but I’ve never been tested) tell me they thought I was “on the spectrum”. I’ve got an enormous book on the history of autism (NeuroTribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity). I read it cover to cover, but trying to find myself in all that is impossible. I don’t think I am.

I know a few, from all over the spectrum.

My godson’s brother is severely autistic, and will have to live on a special ranch all his life. A couple I know have a son who just turned 19, and won’t ever be able to live on his own.

My son had a boy in his scout troop who was high functioning and pretty much main streamed. He earned his Eagle Rank.

Two or three.

Two, or as they would put it…“one plus one or 4 minus two etc…etc…”

You know there’s the old saying…if you’ve met one autistic person, you’ve met one autistic person.

I know a lot of autistic people, but I’m not sure how to answer this question exactly?

While a lot of them may be gifted, I am wary of perpetuating the stereotype of the autistic savant.