Him having the 'tism would explain several things. Like how he thinks that if a woman likes one of his posts, that means she'll go on a date with him. Also, there's some evidence that NPD is actually on the autism spectrum. Since NPDs can't fathom that other people are in fact, other people with their own goals, needs and desires, that fits into the lack of theory of mind that is part of ASD. However, there is also evidence that people with ASD can learn to understand that not everyone thinks like them. For most of us, that's intiutive, we know that just from being around other people. Russ clearly never got the intervention he needed to be a functional adult. That does not excuse his behavior. It's just a reason.
Take it from an autist, they can definitely learn. I did. It takes quite a bit of conscious effort at times to force yourself to be social and see from others' perspectives, but Russ clearly doesn't want to do that.
To be fair, as a child, I never got special treatment for my behavior-- I was just punished and ostracized. I'm not saying punishment and ostracism is the best method for combating the worst autist behaviors, but, clearly, enabling and sugarcoating seriously backfires.
I also don't use my "disability" to get what I want. In fact, I don't really think of it that way since it doesn't affect my life outside of when I'm in a crowded bar or around groups of unfamiliar people. It's just a part of me and a lot of the weird shit I do, I think of as personality quirks, as do my friends and family. To be fair, I've been assured I'm attractive, so that helps with being social.
If Russ' family could go back in time, I think had they corrected the behavior and taught him how to accept himself as he is, he'd be a lot better off. I'm glad they didn't, though, because rarely do I get to see a dumpster fire play out in real time. Thanks for the laughs, Russ!!
Unrelated, but it is really difficult to edit posts on mobile.