Concerns about 3 year old DD social skills - Please advise

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DD1 is 3 and a half and has no social skills whatsoever...! Her method of making friends usually involves going up to another child, putting her face in theirs, and laughing manically. This may be accompanied with a repetitive phrase, which is currently "you're funny" or "gaga" (yes, like a baby....). At times she may try cuddling/kissing them. This usually leaves the other child looking a little confused/freaked out/scared.

She also has a problem with names... If I ask her about friends at preschool, she'll tell me she has friends, but when I ask their names, she can't tell me. I guess at this point I should say she has delayed speech. She can speak in sentences, but her vocabulary is limited and her speech is not clear (a lot of tat's instead of cats). SALT have not helpful (but that's a different thread!).

I've never personally witnessed another child behave like her. I've tried telling her that people need space and they may not want to be kissed/cuddled, and that it is not appropriate to laugh in peoples faces, but she ignores me and carries on regardless. She also does it to DD2 (8mth) despite me asking millions of times for her to stop...

I guess I'm wondering if this is normal or a sign something else is going on? Has anybody elses child behaved like this and how did you help them?

She has a great appetite and will eat most food put in front of her. Shes not a fussy eater. Limited use of cutlery though and prefers to use her hands.

I will certainly keep a record and make a concise note of my concerns. Its hard to take that she may be having difficulties due to asd. Even though I've often considered it I've always hoped it was something else iyswim...

It's encouraging that she eats well. Sometimes in ASD kids are very rigid or fussy about eating. Of course it could be something else, or she could just change with time. Hope you get some answers soon.

I found the Hanen programme books really useful. TalkAbility is very good to teach children to appropriately initiate and sustain play, encourage eye contact etc. Your DD might be a bit young for it... but check More Than Words and It Takes Two To Talk.
Ds' speech was quite delayed at 3 1/2 so he didn't really know how to initiate play in a more appropriate manner so he used to do the laughing on people's faces thing; being a scary monster was also a favourite...
The paediatrician appointment is just a couple of months away but you might to phone them up and say you are available at short notice in case they have any cancellations.
Take a list of all the issues you've listed here.
If the NHS SALT wasn't helpful maybe you could consider a private SALT. They could plan a programme to be implemented at preschool and at home.

Tambaboy what did you do to help your ds, or did he just grow out of it (and what age)?
I'll check out the resources you suggested. I'm desperate for this to improve (if it is not asd) before she starts school next sept.
Funny you mentioning independent SALT, I contacted a few yesterday to see if they may be able to help. It is expensive but if I feel it will help I will definitely use them.

DS was eventually diagnosed with ASD when he was 6. At almost 8 now he has grown out of certain behaviours like screaming on people's faces but initiating play in a appropriate manner is something he still struggles with. School is helping with social skills groups.
But please do not take my DS' case as a sign that your DD will be diagnosed with ASD. That sort of behaviour can be quite common in children with language difficulties.