Opinions on Enriquo Gnaulati

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I just read this Salon article, https://www.salon.com/2013/09/21/thats_not_autism_its_simply_a_brainy_introverted_boy/ an excerpt from his book Back to Normal: Why Ordinary Childhood Behavior Is Mistaken for ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, and Autism Spectrum Disorder, and I find this really hard to read.

His description of this boy sounds very in line with ASD, and yet he makes the case that all the psychologists who evaluated him as a child are wrong. Much of his prose seems rather egoistic as well.

I haven't seen any discussion of this doctor on WP. Has anyone looked into this before?

Note: This book is ten years old and our understanding of ASD has evolved greatly, but I've also yet to see any retractions from him.

Just a few odd quotes:
"Often it is a sense of humor that separates true cases of mild autism from mental giftedness. Mildly autistic kids often don’t really comprehend irony, sarcasm, and absurdity. Mentally gifted kids, on the other hand, often thrive on irony, sarcasm, and absurdity."

"One day, after meeting with his mother briefly for a check-in, I went out to the waiting room and warmly greeted Michael: “Speak of the devil, we were just talking about you.” Michael came back to the office and, as he picked up a rubber sword to engage me, jokingly warned, “I am the devil, and you will get burned.” I knew right then and there that Asperger’s was completely out of the question."

"Introverted, highly intelligent boys may appear vacant and nonresponsive when asked a question like “What is your favorite animal?” Yet in their minds, they may be deeply and actively processing copious amounts of information on types and defining features of animals and zeroing in on precise words to use to articulate their complex thoughts. Thirty seconds, a minute, or even more time may pass before an answer is supplied. In the meantime, the listener might wonder if the boy is deaf or completely self-absorbed."

"Mentally gifted boys are often perfectionists. Their projects need to be done just right, and they will continue to work on a project until it is exactly what they want. During toddlerhood, when early signs of perfectionism are mixed with regular needs for autonomy, the combination can make a child look very controlling. A cognitively advanced three-year-old boy who is also a perfectionist might spend hours arranging and rearranging, stacking and restacking blocks to construct a castle that he feels needs to be flawless if he’s to be satisfied. Attempts to get his attention, have him come to the kitchen for a snack, or put the blocks aside to get ready for bed are ignored or resisted."

I'm not familiar with this author or book, but the quotes you posted sound like descriptions of a child with ASD. Or at least of a child who could have ASD.

That kid could be diagnosed with ASD but perhaps one could argue there's nothing really wrong with him.

certainly , this story might be considered as being about someone whom might be Autistic?