So there's two things to this:
One, thanks to Sindome's different history there never was a time period where extended research and normalization of the autism spectrum happened. By that the last proper advancement in the field was the addition of its diagnostics in the DSM-3, DSM-3-R and ICD-10.
"In the ICD-10 version the diagnosis of autism is made on the basis of four features: (A) a characteristic onset before age 3 defined by delayed or deviant communication, social interaction, and/or play (3 criteria), (B) qualitative impairments in reciprocal social interaction (5 criteria), (C) qualitative
impairments in communication (5 criteria), and (D) restricted and stereotyped
patterns of behavior, interests, and activities (6 criteria). To achieve
a diagnosis of autism an individual must exhibit one criterion from group
A, at least three from group B, and at least two each from groups C and
D. By definition ICD-10 excludes individuals with other forms of pervasive
developmental disorder (i.e,, Rett syndrome, Asperger syndrome, Disintegrative
Disorder), attachment disorders, schizophrenia, specific developmental
language disorder with secondary socio-emotional problems, and
mental retardation with association emotional/behavioral disorder from the
diagnosis of autism. It should be noted that ICD-10 differs from both DSMIII
and DSM-III-R in its inclusion of a number of "nonautistic" pervasive
developmental disorders." (a quote from the book "Three Diagnostic Systems for Autism: DSM-III, DSM-III-R, and ICD-101" by Volkmar in 1992)
So unless continued development, or potentially even the necessary developments for the autism spectrum to appear, is added to the Lore the important question is, what chum apart from a history freak that reads books from before 2000 knows the term "autist"? Without the attempts at normalization the term itself never got the publicity it had in our world. Using it as an insult makes just as much sense as insulting someone as a "Borderliner", or any other psychological illness that did not experience the same levels of normalization in our world.
Secondly, the current stance is that the autism spectrum itself has both psychological and genetic origins, with the more commonly known Asperger syndrome being considered to be purely genetic. In the world of Sindome these can either be fixed with bio tech, or might even be intended. Corporations, just like some companies (for example SAP) in our world, would be making use of the specific differences between Autists and normal people. These differences are profitable enough that it wouldn't be too crazy to forcibly induce a lighter/improved version of the Asperger syndrome.