I have to admit I’ve had the opposite experience – I’ve long since learned that asking any questions whatsoever (especially potentially-personal ones) is a good way of being removed from consideration, even if the rest of the interview seemed to go well. They assume I simply didn’t do my research, as if “What do you like most about your job” is something that could be researched ahead of time for the average mid-ranking employee.

I wonder if the real reason is that the effect you describe depends upon meeting some pre-determined notion of what a good relationship development looks like (neurotypical and autistic relationship-building differs)?