I have high-functioning autism, and to answer your question: yes they can.

It doesn't matter if it's direct or indirect, I'm extremely sensitive and somebody's words can hurt me for years. Even someone having a different opinion than me can hurt me. How? Why? you may ask. I don't really know. Maybe I'm just immature, or I feel very strongly about things and can't tell the difference between "I hate X" and "I hate your mother". After all, if I told you I hate your mother, someone you're likely very close to, you'd probably be angry.