<p>Much art and theoretical science tend to involve into your studio or office by yourself for a day. Both typically take big blocks of time for the ideas to sink in and then for creativity to emerge. Dealing with people, whether gallery directors or other artists on the one hand or students or deans on the other, tends to be a distraction from real work and to break up the big blocks of time. This requires comfort or at least a willingness to spend big blocks of time alone. As such, people with Aspergers would find that part of art/science theory work comfortable. But, artists who are successful tend to have to hustle a lot. They have to create an external image, go to openings, be a good self-promoter and generally schmooze well. There are probably fewer such requirements for theoretical scientists, though from what I’ve seen, being a great self-promoter really helps. Aspergers probably is inconsistent with that part of the job (although that part may only be the difference between NAS and Nobel more and not something that prevents success). </p>
<p>Lab science, on the other hand, may be different. [I know more about art and theoretical science]. My sense is that some labs are very cooperative/collaborative and some more solo but to be successful, a scientist has to manage a lab to get results and thus will need the skills to work with people.</p>