Help needed re: co-worker- please!!

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Hi. I have a serious issue at work. One of my co-workers (a higher-up) is an Aspie. He did not tell me so- it is so painfully obvious. He is more severely affected than I am and I see how it affects his work and his relating to other staff. I would place him in the genius IQ range. I love to hear him talk about his work- obviously his chosen specialty is an obsession for him and it is beautiful to hear him explain anything.
The problem: he is a teacher and students are afraid to talk to him. His stress level is electric. I have heard him admit to being OCD. He speaks at twice the rate of anyone else around, and in a monotone, and without eye contact.
I have defended him to everyone and praised his autistic gifts (not using "the A word", either one). I have patiently explained that some people are wired differently than others. I have raved about his brilliance.
It is getting exhausting.
I cannot say "Can't you see that Dr X has Aspergers!?!" because that's obviously unfair. He did not tell me this and even if he had, that would be a privacy violation to tell anyone else. I have considered talking to a colleague of ours, or my supervisor. I can't speak directly to him because as I stated earlier, he is so tightly wound that I think he will explode if I do. I can barely talk to him about work-related matters or the fact that we both love Peavey guitars.
Last week I was working at my computer and he came into our work area and asked no one in particular to do something- in his monotone- and then walked out and people were saying "Why can't he use eye contact!! !" and my face was just all red and I could not say anything at all. I am so upset and frustrated.
Help!!

try to write this guy a letter in a way that explains the perception of the coworkers. Don't suggest that he is Aspie or autistic. But you can say you have similar difficulties and that you are Aspie. Assure him that you aren't interested in disclosing this information but that his communication style affects his work.

I thought of that. I know he uses email a lot so I thought of that but emails are so easily forwarded.
I don't know how to word such a communication effectively- it would need to be serious and yet not frightening.

Not a possibility for him to transfer, unfortunately.

I just need to know
a) if I should talk (or other form of communication) with him
b) if so, how should I approach it
c) how to respond to NT coworkers' hurtful and ignorant comments

If HE knows you have praised and defended him, and like his discussions of obsessions, try asking him to go out to a quiet dinner in a quiet restaurant where you can be at a comfortable table across from what another. Just say you want to talk to him about his obsession, etc...

Remind him of how you have defended him, and like his chats, indicate how you are the same way, and tell him what you believe. Don't mention autism. He will probably look it up, and see how so much fits him, etc...

If he has ANY respect for you, and believes how you have defended him, he SHOULD accept it ok.

I learned the hard way not to be too vague. I wanted to do a similar thing with a coworker. I pointed out how we both stim(I didn't mention that word), and we both have similar problems, etc.... We also BOTH clearly knew about autism(though I only HINTED at that). Our boss said he had a "handicap", but autism wasn't mentioned.

BTW he is ALSO smart, and we are BOTH respected. BTW I have defended HIM also. OH WELL, we are both still friends.

D'Oh! double post.

If you are his subordinate, don't ask him to dinner. It will be taken the wrong way.

Bah, another day passed; another day of the same. Maybe it will be the same forever. Then at least it won't be any worse.
If I can catch him in a semi-relaxed moment I will ask him if he will eat lunch with me.