I think the no interaction thing is a red herring. DS1 (severely autistic) has just been bought a trampoline. He loves it- but particularly likes to go on it with me - and is always dragging me out to it.
DH was late home from work on Monday and ds1 stood by the window looking for him saying "daddy daddy"
Where autistic children differ is that they often don't want adult direction- they're not interested in something just because you are (or other children are).