Autistic children rarely have much pretend play. Instead they tend to concentrate on the physical properties of things, so will like to look at things from odd angles, or line them up, or tap or spin things. They are not usually able to play interactively with other children. About a third of autistic people have severe learning disabilities, and another third have moderate learning disabilities. Obsessive interests, for example in trains, or vacuum cleaners, or collecting bottle tops.
Many autistic children get very upset if their usual routine is disrupted.
Odd physical mannerisms, typically hand flapping and jumping up and down when excited, and walking on tiptoe. The more severely affected children often rock, or bang their heads, or bite the back of their hands. People with Asperger Syndrome, like autistic people, have problems with communication, socialization and imagination. However, they differ from autistic people in that their problems are less severe. They usually have a good command of speech and do not have general learning disabilities.