He could sit for hours watching his hands move back and forth. Fred was diagnosed with autism, a neurological disorder that disrupts normal development. The Symptoms Autism is classified as a pervasive developmental disorder. Symptoms vary greatly from person to person. People with autism may appear to daydream constantly or be unaware of people around them.
Most autistic children prefer to play by themselves, and treat other people like furniture.
Other autistic people may talk at length with no regard to what another person says or does. Most autistic people enjoy repetitive motions, such as spinning objects, running water, or sniffing objects. A sense of routine is very important, and it can be extremely upsetting to them when part of their routine is changed. This could be something as trivial as changing the route to the grocery store or moving an item within the house. Problems with Social Interactions Autistic people have trouble interpreting other people's facial expressions.