AUTISM??????

I just started looking after a 5 yr old girl in my daycare, I am observing many different behaviours than what I am used to for this age and am concerned that there is something wrong, my biggest concern for her is that she is going into senior kindergarten and that she will have trouble fitting in.  I am not familiar too much with autism and am not assuming this is what she has in fact when I read about sympoms,  I find she lacks some of them however does have several of them  as well.  Here is a list of things I am observing,

-speech is limited, hard to understand , sometimes high pitched and monotone (I think she is not able to use certain  sunds like f, t, w and more )
awkward gait
climbs stairs setting both feet on each step before continuing
will not hug, body is rigid
cry's easily and will make up story that her brother has hurt her but he is not even in the room)
jumping , climbing all seem difficult and awkward
constantly asking what we are going to do next
covers ears alot
when she is upset, she uses her hand allot, touching her fingers together in front of her and moving them back and forth
can't easily dress herself or put on shoes (can do it eventually but needs step by step instructions)
can' t write her name, color, use scissors,
if routine is changed , she seems upset
will ask allot of questions and when given the answer will confirm them to herself saying "yes" or repeating what I have said.
Does not want to go to the bathroom however does not have accidents either
makes adults uncomfortable asking peculiar questions or speaking totally  off topic

Mom is aware of these things and her jk teacher was constantly telling her last year of all the things she was unable to do but said her doctor told her that all kids develop at different levels and she would eventually catch up.  I think there is more to it than that but also feel I don't yet know her well enough to say anything or how to say it

[Kate3767]

My concern is that the Dr. is saying alot of the same things our Dr. said before we moved on. A five yr old should be able to converse in a "typical" way. The things you describe would indicate to me that something neurological is going on whether it is autism or on the spectrum I couldn't say. I would urge the mother to seek help through her local childrens hospital. Many have autism programs and could put her in touch with a Dr that specializes in autism. I would think that the child needs to be assessed. The average age of diagnosis is 2.5 yrs. It is 3-4 times more likely to be seen in boys than it is girls but that DOESN'T mean there are not autistic girls because there are. Good Luck