Oh, hang on a minute - if as many people suspect, Gordon Brown could have a diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome, would he not be seen as a role model ? Boris Johnston with his bumbling professor, eccentric, soup down the tie image is uncannily like many people with Aspergers.

British comedy is full of people who might be diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder - literal, poor social skills, funny voice - Mr Bean, Frank Spencer.

"I won't use "schizophrenic" to describe variable weather." - who on earth would use such a strange phrase?

But as someone who's son suffers from both ASD and epilepsy, I'd like to say he's not being helped by people who refuse to use the word "brainstorming". Really it's not a problem, and diverts attention away from the real issues.

Not quite the James MacIntyre school of [non] journalism but still off base.

George Osborne did not decsribe GB as 'autistic'. Someone suggested Geoerge Osborne was autistic and he joked that they must be confusing him with GB
.
Not the best comment but an off the cuff retort to someone insulting him is rather different to someone using the term unprovoked against someone else.

So your attempt at even handedness - though welcome - still fails.

But for The New Statesman, its a big leap forward.

As a parent of a teenage son with autism, I find any pejorative use of the autism offensive. Perhaps it's worth remembering that children with autism are the largest group appealing to special education tribunals and over 90% of UK adults with autistic spectrum disorders are unemployed, with the rate for the group with Asperger Syndrome (normal IQ and language development) not much lower. People with autism remain marginalised in Britain. Politicians and all responsible public figures should be challenging that marginalisation, not affirming it.