He sounded like he was on the high-functioning end of the autistic spectrum. And I say this ad one myself and knowing a few people like that too. We're blind to social cues and hints, but most of us don't mind being told politely if we have missed one. Think bid it like bring separated from the work behind a glass wall. You can keep track of things but miss so much.
This is speculation, but us Aspies are usually good at picking up 'one of us' even just by looking.