I think both interpretations are true, in the way that a college needing more oboe players sees playing the oboe as a hook or a college seeking to expand its income diversity sees Questbridge as a hook. What makes the student stand out is that they have a quality the school wants to add to its class. And I do think some colleges are seeking neurodiversity, if you will.
I’m a high school autistic support teacher, and I encourage my high-functioning students to highlight their differences in their college applications and I try to give specifics of the kind of obstacles they have overcome in my letters of recommendation. We are often pleasantly surprised at the high number of acceptances received, considering their stats are often not stellar. Not sure whether the admissions people see their ability to overcome obstacles or just their uniqueness as the hook–probably a little of both, I’d guess.