Not on a level with anyone on this thread, but I don't think that GCSEs are as valuable an indicator of intelligence as people are making them out to be.
Put it this way. I'm currently studying Biology, Chemistry and Physics at A2 level (Maths at AS as well, but I'm not going to get into that). In all three of my A2's, I can show my knowledge of the background of the subject. Broad knowledge, not just the knowledge that Edexcel believe should be forced down my throat and the throats of my teachers. Now, the maximum I can get is an A*. But if I know enough to get an A* and more knowledge behind the subject, surely I'm smarter? I'm not sure.
A Level grades are a lot more valuable. You're specialising, you're not just remembering from a textbook (at least in my subjects), you're really learning about something you're interesting and it's your own personal choice what you study and to what extent you study it. And at the end of the day, you're studying to go onto an experience that will change your life.
And to the idiot who brought Autism into the equation, that's just a little bit offensive. Just sayin'. I assure you that Autism isn't a finite diagnosis and that many people with "Autism" are completely different.