Helping friend on the spectrum

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Hi:
For years I have known this guy who is on the spectrum like myself through an autism adult program and we have had our ups and downs. Though he tries to be positive, I have noticed that he's very insecure and has low self-esteem. He also tends to blurt out a lot of barbs and jabs at other people that have pushed my buttons in the past. However, two things. We saw each other over the weekend and he did say some things that were bothersome. For example, he said that though I was inspirational he thought I was "Weird" which really hurt.

1. I don't want to yell at him and keep calling him out each time
2. I don't want to be a doormat either
3. I don't want to change him either
4. I would like to set boundaries with him

I would like to bring him up as a friend and help him move forward without trying to change him.

What can I do

Be there for him. Simple as that.

I am looking for some resources on low self-esteem that he might find helpful in addition to some that I already know about. I would like to find some that would be helpful to him on cutting others down that would be constructive for him.