I read something once, written either by a person with autism or by someone close to a person with autism, on the subject of how they perceived the world, I believe it was a woman, and she said it was like looking at the world through a straw. Imagine, she (or they) said, going into a museum with all kinds of beautiful artwork and only being able to perceive them that way, one centimeter at a time. How easy would it be to make sense of the art like that? Imagine the Mona Lissa or Starry Night... or a sculpture, or any architecture. It would be impossible. But that's how the world was to her in her youth. Incomprehensible. But someone began working with her, and helped her, and gradually she was able to see the world more cohesively, and make connections, but of course she was never entirely "normal" ... and she had to really work at it.
I have worked with my kid since he was six, challenged him, given him strategies, pushed him. Fought with him, even... The school worked with him. Early intervention is key. He has come a long way. I still see it, though. He may still have challenges. But I believe he will be okay.
