Stereotypic behaviour
This behaviour and interests may take various forms and may change throughout the life. Mimicking or fanciful game only occurs in about 20 percent of children with autism. On the lower developmental level may be typical motor stereotypical behavior, which is characterized by: waving hands, shaking head, swinging the body, rotating different items, knocking or scratching the surface of objects, sensing of the certain materials and the like. A common manifestation is walking on the balls of the feet associated with excitement, unusual handling of toys such as instead of usual play with the toy car the children spin its wheels, storage by color or size etc. The group of symptoms at a higher level consists of compulsive behavior and performing rituals such as the exact procedure for dressing up, switching of the lights, fascination with certain topics (astronomy, birds, timetable), asking the same questions and requesting the same answers.
Sources:
Autism in practice, Children and pupils with autism in teaching practice, Dagmar Beluskova, Andrea Sedibova, Methodological and Pedagogical Center, 2014, Bratislava