Terrible 2s & Screaming..

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My son did pinch and scratch for a while and bit and kicked. He also used to be aggressive with other kids especially to his cousin. He would push and shove and put his arm around them or hit. He is NT. But he grew out of it thank god and he is three now. Either he learned or he just grew out of it. I have never had an autistic child so I can't tell the difference and wouldn't know.

Perhaps he laughs because of the predictability? Any communication is complex and stressful, but I think predictability is funny to many AS people. When he pinches you, he predicts a reaction therefore he laughs when his prediction comes true.
When the therapist covered her ears to ignore him, that was a reaction as well. In a way he got what he wanted.
Maybe that is also why music can be soothing or pleasurable to people, because it follows a pattern and is predictable.

I want to say I think it's probably a combination of autism and toddlers. I think it's very common of typical children to act out in a restaurant or when required to wait but like many other things is even more magnified with kids on the spectrum. Also I would think the screaming at that age is primarily a reaction to sensory overstimulation.

My son SCREAMED HIS HEAD OFF FOR 4YEARS STRAIGHT! Lol seriously though, if he wasn't doing what he wanted at any time he screamed. If I wasn't doing what he wanted at any time he screamed. He screamed in the store, in the restaurant, in the car, in the bathroom. And I believe it was all because he was overwhelmed by the waiting, the transitioning, the noise, the people, everything. The waiting on anything for my length of time made him lose it!! It wore me out but keep in mind how it made him feel. These reactions aren't out of entitlement, it's because they are having a hard time.

My advice is just be patient! It will likely take him longer than typical kids to sit at a restaurant or to get to a place where you can expect some progress. But keep trying new ways to entertain him and keep trying to find a balance of quality of life for him and you. He will improve as time goes on I'm sure. Mostly after a few years hopefully there will be progress with his sensory processing which will give you some room to work on other things. Good luck and be strong