I am 51 and was diagnosed at 41 as being on the spectrum. It is definitely NOT cool because I am still vulnerable to emotional manipulation from others. I do my own thing, wear whatever I want and don't care about trends or having friends and other women know it. Therefore, I am alienated. When people think autism, they think we're all genius level mathematicians, musical prodigys, etc... Definitely not me. I have no math skills at all. When I got the diagnosis, I cried for days because it explained so much of what was wrong in my life. Horrible confrontations, arguments, alienation...all of it because I didn't understand their emotions and why I had to empathize and act like them. Did a LOT of masking as a result....never worked very well.
So no...being autistic (depending on your specific gifts and where you're at on the spectrum) is not very cool unless you're one of those people who have the awesome gifts. That's just one opinion though.