Autism or Something else

B is not responding to his name. He has not been since he was 16 months or so. He was dx w/ devel delay @18 mos. Some toe walking, waves both hands like he's saving hi (like cartoon character Wubbzy) maybe 6 times a day, does not talk but will blurt out BA or CA to get our attention & then gurgles like he's talking. Imitates his dads laugh for no appearent reason, and is quite hyperactive. B isconstantly in motion only paying attention for minutes if that. He's a toddler though.  He has great eye contact is very aware of new people or guest coming into our home. He has also become very shy. He just started to raise his little arms when people (stranger) talk directly to him. This all cames after he was on Augmentin & Amox for reoccuring ear infections. Takes us by the hand to what he wants and loves to look at his books. My son plays with cars and says vroom and makes sounds. He drives them on the floor and couch but, does not get creative about them. He sticks everything into his mouth and drools like no other. He has allergies w/ everything. He's currently in early intervention (two weeks) & starts speech this week. I ask him to give things to his dad like he use to but, he just walks away to play with something else. Is this Autism, Autism Spectrum or what? Is there hope?

[Sally44]

Was he talking previously and has lost speech?
He has had alot of ear infections, and obviously that route needs to be checked out to rule out hearing loss.
Also google Sensory Integration Disorder as children/adults with that can have under or over sensitive senses or it can fluctuate between the two and it varies day to day and throughout the day.  That might explain is 'appearing' deaf, and mouthing objects, and flapping/toe walking etc.  You can have SID without autism.  But most of those on the spectrum have SID or sensory difficulties.
Also google echolalia.  This is a speech disorder common in those on the autistic spectrum.  It basically means they don't learn words separately, they learn whole chunks of information eg. words/phrases from other people or TV.  My son (he is 8), uses his own speech and also uses words/phrases from TV/DVDs.  Your son imitating his dad's laugh could be echolalia as it is an 'echo' repeated immediately or later on of something they have already heard.  Some children can make incredible electronic sounds eg. the phone ringing.  I would mention this to his speech therapist.
You are right at the beginning of the process, so you don't really know what you are dealing with.  But whilst the medical side has been sorted out, I think you should also raise your concerns about autism and ask for him to be referred to a multi disciplinary team that has experience of diagnosising autistic spectrum disorders.
His constant activitiy could be down to being on the spectrum, or allergies, or ADHD.  But at this stage, this is only my opinion, I would rule out everything else and use medications as a last resort, because no-one can tell you what the long term effect of these medications will be on a young developing brain.
You say he cannot pay attention to anything for any length of time.  If he is doing something of his choice eg. legos, puzzles etc can he concentrate on that for long periods of time.  What is he like watching TV.