People with autism are all different. Often, they resemble speleologists: they disappear into the depths of some complex subject, explore paths nobody had delved into, out of reach of any distractions, and after what can be a very long and irksome journey, they arrive where none had entered before. 

It would be illogical – and somewhat cruel – to judge these people negatively because they can’t live at the same time on the surface, making small talk in the sun: one has to choose, weather to stay on the surface or to dive underground. 

In caves one often is alone, long dark cold hours. It is a journey few can or wish to undertake. A speleologist however can reach peaks of jow, when he discovers something beautiful, before unknown. 

The discovery can then benefit the rest of the community, the people who in the meantime lived their lives tending to their business. 

If we were all speleologists, the wouldn’t be anyone left to farm, cook, raise children and take care of all we need.

However, if a community decides to dedicate a small part of its wealth to provide for a couple of “speleologists” in its midst, to support and protect them not for charitable reasons but as a precious asset, it will be a winning choice. As such communities will foster the most innovative discoveries, the most advanced studies, and benefit from them, both economically and in quality of life.