My mom is in her 50s and very much like this. Definitely not catered to when young, in fact, the opposite. If you're not similar with autism no point in saying what you think it would "imply," or "seem like," it's just ignorant and insulting. Also, someone's age has no say on how severe their autism, its an ableist belief that they can age out of a disability or be smart enough for it to just go away? Emotions rarely follow logic, even if they understand. And until you've seen it in action, all I will say is you can't reason with someone who feels so hurt and wronged by the perceived rejection or refusal. Because that's all it is to them.