@ShadowJonathan
Yeah many years back I did some work with kids with learning disabilities (before I became disabled), and some were autistic combined with many other things, one day on a field trip this particular lad ran off and I was tasked with chasing him down/bringing him back as we were all just about to leave on the bus.
So I slowly walked over, and yes he cheekily ran away, and so on, like it was a game, so eventually I thought okay, reverse psychology, I'll get ya.
So I loudly proclaimed:
"Okay I'm going now (with my back turned to him), we all are, on the bus"
And just slowly walked away (slight glance to see if he was following - he was), and just guided him back, and all was good, he didn't really want to be alone, just thought it was funny.
Sounds similar to that situation, it's not like he doesn't want interaction, he just thought it was funny.