His eccentricities (in no particular order):
he has always been obsessed with spinning things, although this is fading now, but he can still spend up to 20 minutes sitting in front of the washing machine spinning the drum, or spinning salad spinners or rotary whisks in the kitchen (I know I know, definately ASD behaviour)
He likes lining cars up.
He concentrates for ages when he is focussed on something of his choosing.
He likes spending time alone playing.
He has a very good memory. By 3 he could name almost any make of car just by looking at it, even if it drove past quickly he new if it as a ford or a toyota or whatever. I didn't teach him this.
He was selectively mute and still doesn't talk to people he doesn't know and doesn't answer direct questions, even from me sometimes.
He never cried as a baby. Never babbled. Was late to talk and when he did talked in complete sentances. Wouldn't say a word unless he could pronounce it fully.
He never had tantrums. He was, instead, always silently stubbord or defiant. He still is, for the most part.
Punishments do not work on him. He doesn't care. Being able to do something he wants is worth any punishment I hand out. His school's punishment system of name going on storm cloud has no impact whatsoever on him. As he said himself "I don't care if that happens, I wanted to do what I was doing".
He learns things very quickly and is almost obsessed with how things work and working it out. Always changes batteries in toys himself. Can operate the heating and hot water system in the house himslelf, can figure out how to use most electrical appliances after just looking at them for about 10-15 minutes. He spent half an hour on monday looking at the water cystern for the toilet (with the lid off). He only flushed it twice that whole time, spent the rest of the time just looking closely, pushing the float down and up, and feeling the parts.
He's very patient and determined.
He doesn't shout, unless alone in the house with me. He blanks people he knows if he sees them out of context, like bumping into a friend from school in town. Even if it's his best friend.
He likes doing housework and being given responsibility, and takes it seriously. Will hoover, can woprk the washing machine so is mostly in charge of putting loads on. Is very able, can peel vegetables and chop things with a sharp knife, as he does everything with such focussed concentration.
He fidgits, almost all the time, unless he's concentrating on something of his choosing.
He gets very distressed, almost inconcolable, at certain things (like a balloon popping or something breaking or getting lost).
He, for the most part, likes routine and once something has been planned finds it very hard if it doesn't happen.
Hmmm, actually, those aren't all eccentricities, but things I tought where normal for most 5 yr olds that I'm suddenly doubting now. Please tell me they are mostly normal?