Opinions and Thoughts Please

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My son has always had good speech. Always seemed really smart to everyone when at 30 to 36 months old he knew all his shapes, colors, alphabet, and numbers.,
He has always shown a fascination with cars, especially the wheels (at-first), now he is more into the whole car(although he still ends up ripping most of the wheels off)
At 3-4yrs old he started reading. It always seemed like he read better than he actually spoke, but didn't actually understand what he was reading.
When he was about 2 1/2-3 years old is when i noticed that he just did't answer "w" questions properly, if at all. I expressed my concerns to his Dr, and didn't get a Dr to take me seriously til his 5yr check. The Dr, sent us to a speech pathology center.
The pathology center said that he has a severe speech deficit. Those that are his problem areas include "wh" questions, categorization, qualitative concepts (which is getting alot better) and possessives.
He has always had what i just thought were quirks like he usually always line up the cars he isn't playing with, always holds his hands over his ears around loud noises, never really wanting to color or write doesn't want to learn to use scissors he can't even button his own shirt.
At 5yrs old he still won't wipe himself, he has to potty naked (he won't have it any other way), he is almost always loud, you have to remind him to keep it down. He still loves cars and can tell you what most cars are he is stuck on mustangs. He is-practically obsessed with the computer, especially car & racing games, everything is a ramp or a track. He always tells me he loves me, i mean like 50+ times a day.
I don't think he actually walks around as much as he actually runs or jogs.
He gets upset or frustrated easily, and although he will play with other kids, he really only wants them to play his way or he quickly loses interest.
There are alot more things that just aren't coming to mind right this second.
I don't think he has just a "speech-deficit", I think there is something more to it.
I live in North Carolina, USA
His speech pathologists gave me a referral to a clinic that they rave about. Because of our state laws, they were not allowed to talk about anything outside of speech, and they couldn't come out and tell me he needed screening til I asked the right question.

If you suspect that your son may be on the autism spectrum, I would recommend that you pursue a proper evaluation. Moreover, in seeking an evaluation, I would strongly suggest that you seek out psychological services that are well respected in working with autistic children. Research them online before you make an appointment. If you live in the Charlotte area, I can make a recommendation.

It would also be of benefit that you familiarize yourself with the DSM criteria for Asperger's Syndrome. Knowing what you (and whoever does the evaluation) are looking for, can only assist in finding the right answers. You can read the DSM criteria here:

http://www.autreat.com/dsm4-aspergers.html

I do not feel strongly one way or another about the possibility that your son may be on the spectrum; there is not enough information in what you have written. However, I do think a professional evaluation is imperative. Simply knowing is invaluable.

I am not sure if your son has ASD either, only a doctor can diagnose it. However, there do seem to be some red flags:

Obsessive interests
Sensory issues (covering up ears)
Deficits in fine motor skills (not cutting, not wanting to button shirt)
Not answering questions
Lining up cars.

My son is 4.5 and was diagnosed at 2.5 as PDD/NOS (Pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified)/possible Asperger's. I mainly took him in for evaluation because he was a very late walker (21 mos.)
When he turned 2, he started reciting lines from books and tv shows. I didn't think he had any speech issues because he had so many words. However, we realized that he was not using them to communicate with us. He too knew all of his shapes, numbers, letters and colors before he was 3. He is obsessed with cars (especially Volkswagon Bugs and Jettas) He knows the makes and models of just about every car out there. My son really has no interest in playing with other kids. He really doesn't play much on his own either. He loves to draw, listen to music, watch kid videos. He also has trouble with cutting and holding a crayon properly.

Every case of autism/Asperger's is different. I think you should trust your gut instinct as a mother, and have him evaluated. If he is not, great, but if he is, then you can start getting him the help that he needs.

Best of luck!

If I were you, I would contact the public school district you live within. I would ask them who is responsible for "Child Find". Child Find is federal law, and it says schools have a responsibilty to find the children living within their service area and provide services. After you reach the person who oversees Child Find, I would ask for a Multidisplinary Evaluation. Once you have made a formal request, Federal Law says they must respond within 30 days.