Gift ideas for an autistic boy? He'll be 13. I know he likes mechanical toys, things that he can take apart, stuff like that. What are your favorite toys like that?
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http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/science/91e4/
It's pricey, but still neat.
@phro: magnets = awesome. but they have a really nice TV, i think. thanks for the warning.
@The Decline and Fall of Tonight: That looks really cool.
This toyfinding process is making me want toys.
He might like one of those kits where you build your own ham radio! I had one when I was a kid, and I enjoyed that, though I don't think I ever got it to work. I'm sure you can find them at places like the Discovery Store, or Toys 'R' Us.
When I was growing up, there were these "fossil" kits. You built this little "dinosaur" fossil and then buried it in this hard plaster stuff. When it was all dry (like a week later, it felt like), you used these fun brushes and tools to dig it back up again! I don't know if that's helpful, but it's something at least.
Since he is a bit older, I know I had a lot of fun unscrewing and totally dismantling obsolete electronics. It might not be totally safe, though. I remember there being a lot of pointy things.

Think Geek has something that he might like. Let me go dig up the link.