ABQmom, I don't have a child with Aspergers, but a counselor recommended my ds12 (then 10) be evaluated for Aspergers/ASD after having spent some time with him. My ds *does* fit yes to many of the characteristics on the list you've posted above, but like your ds my ds has a very well-developed sense of humor, is a natural leader and from everything I've always been told at school and have observed fits in well socially and is very well-liked by his peers. The suggestion to have him evaluated for an ASD took me somewhat by surprise, so I read up on it a little bit, things seemed like they might match, other things didn't - so I asked for second opinions. This happened right before ds' three-year update on his private neuropsych evaluation, and I trusted the neuropscyh, so I asked her to consider whether or not she saw any indications of ASD when she did her eval, and I also met with our pediatrician to discuss whether or not he felt ds should be evaluated for an ASD. Our pediatrician felt that the list of behaviors noted by the counselor as concerns could also be attributed to a combination of exceptionally high IQ and/or his developmental coordination disorder and expressive language disorder. Our neuropsych also concurred that ds does not fall on the autism spectrum; I don't remember which piece but she showed me one piece of the behavioral questionnaire filled out by us (parents), teachers, and by ds which she said fell clearly within neurotypical range and is almost always outside that "range" for the patients she sees who are on the autism spectrum. She also showed us a chart which shows the interrelationship and overlap of symptoms between ASD and two other types of challenges (I'm sorry I can't remember what they categories are!)... but fwiw, our ds falls into a different "bubble" due to his DCD, and in the center you can see that *many* symptoms overlap.
All that to say.... I agree with DeeDee and gently discourage the armchair diagnoses. I think it's ok to read the lists and see what seems to match your child - you might find something you hadn't thought to ask about when you do meet with a professional to discuss the possibility. BUT don't worry or over think it either - trying to get to the root of what's up with 2e kids can take a *lot* of time and digging... Do you have an evaluation lined up with someone who is familiar with Asperbergers? I think you've got follow-up with other issues (CAPD etc) and re-testing... so you've got a lot of opportunities for information that will help solve the puzzle of what's up.
Good luck!
polarbear
