I'll also chime in and say that I have a child who was a very difficult toddler and preschooler who had some ASD traits. She was informally assessed twice for ASD during other assessments (gross motor delay and auditory processing disorder--she was not sufficiently dleayed for services in gross motor and we apparently were way off with APD suspicions) and both times the professionals said no way. But she is/was rigid, with meltdowns and sensory issues. Slow to play with other children and preferred older kids or adults as a toddler and preschooler. She never had perseverative interests of any kind, though. She too was extremely verbal very young.
Her social skills have improved gradually over the years and she is now a popular 5th grader who functions extremely well in a demanding school...however, she struggles with anxiety, anger issues, and depression.
