just speech delay or autistic tendencies?

[tricky2]

I have a 39 1/2 month old son with a speech delay.He has appeared to be progressing day by day so I just figured he was fine.  He had a speech eval, but I don't have the results yet What he does: has about 500 words or more, knows all ABC's and sounds the letters make, all colors, numbers to 20 by sight and to 50 by counting, count backward from 20 (on his own), spells about 20 words, learns them by me saying them verbally and repeats them and remembers easily, great memory, loves to read, fills in words I leave out of books,answers questions related to his name, what is this, what color is this, just started answering what are doing, just starting saying phrases such as drive the car, read the book, probably about 10-15 phrases he says, is very lovable and likes hugs, good eye contact, says "hi" to everyone he meets, goes to new playgroups easily, usually leads other kids by hand to come play with him and is warm to instructors, follows instructions well - brings me things I ask for, puts things away, etc.  What he doesn't do: ask me questions, answer yes/no and either/or questions, always answer questions he usually knows correctly.  I may have to repeat them and give him prompts, other times answers fine.  In researching speech delays, it seems everything comes up with autism spectrum.  This has made me start to analyze other behaviors - he lines up cars and other toys, went through a stage of putting things in rainbow order, likes to spin wheels (only for a few minutes at a time), and he acts out and repeats his videos over and over.  It is like he is playing - running around and doing the dances so I thought it was just kid play.  After reading some things, I am just not sure. He does have favorite books, etc., but I can usually switch routines easily without a problem.  Haven't noticed any rituals.Every once in a while throws a fit but is usually because didn't get what he wanted.  He echoes me if I ask a question he doesn't understand.  He talks all of the time, but often it is from his videos or things he hears us saying like telling the dog to get in her bed.  He tells me when he wants to eat, go to bathroom, watch tv, listen to music.  He potty trained very easily.  He does like things to be organized, but so do I.  A lot of things he does I can relate to.  All the men in my husband's family are engineers and I was an engineering major before I became an accountant.  I figured he was just analytical and organized like us.  As far as imaginitive play, he takes a lunch bag and pretends he is going to work and talks into a toy phone or other object.  Can the echoing and acting out videos be part of normal language process and kid play or should I be worried.  The constantly repeating of videos can drive me crazy, especially since I am now looking at it as though it may be a problem.  Sorry so long, thanks for help.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Your description is that of a normal three-year-old, not one with any type of Pervasive Developmental Disorder. The primary problem with children who display PDD-type conditions is a deficit in interpersonal relationships and capacity to develop sound attachments to people. There is no evidence in your description that your son is displaying any deficiency in his ability to develop interpersonal relationships.

[nyxpooka]

A related discussion, Questioning Diagnosis was started.