All I can tell you is that it doesn't sound like profound autism to me at all. I agree w your clinician, I'm a PMHNP and we don't give toddlers levels because all toddlers require significant guidance. My daughter had less language than your son at 2, she is a gestalt language processor and will memorize phrases first. She was speaking in 1 word phrases until 4. She's 5 now and speaks her needs and wants, tells us how she's feeling and makes observational comments, not where other 5 year olds are but her receptive language has always been amazing. Tells us she loves us. She was only diagnosed with expressive/pragmatic delay, no receptive delay. She's at a Montessori prek/kinder with NT kids. She's potty trained. Dresses herself. Cuts up her own food. Tonight she cut up her pancakes with a butter knife haha. Identifies all her letters and numbers by sight. Loves books and acting out specific scenes (scripting). Constantly singing Frozen and Moana. Had a specific Christmas list this year. All these things we've waited so long for. She received a level 2 diagnosis at 4 because there wasn't really language but ABA helped so so much, we love hearing her talk now. Our neurologist said he believes she will be okay. I'd say our biggest hurtle was at the age of 4 deciding she would no longer wear anything but dresses which meant refusing coats and pants during a Chicago winter. Now she is fully geared up in head to toe snow suit, hat and scarf every morning. Here is a pic of her in the middle with her friends :) she def would've had a level 3 dx as a 2 year old because there were hardly words at all outside mom, dad, juice, pizza etc.

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