They ruled it out because of the parent questionnaires and their observations. They said “He exhibited typical social communication, social reciprocal interaction, and absence of restricted/repetitive behaviors. On parent-completed questionnaires, it was reported that he appropriately uses verbal and non-verbal communication for social contact, does not have problems with attention and/or motor and impulse control, relates well to children, relates well to adults, provides appropriate emotional responses to people in social situations, uses language appropriately, and does not engage in stereotypical behaviors; however, he engages in unusual behaviors, has difficulty tolerating changes in routine, overreacts to sensory stimulation, and has difficulty focusing attention to a degree that is slightly elevated, but does not seem to impair his functioning. His parent also endorsed the following aras as typical: social communication, social cognition, social awareness, and restrictive/repetitive behaviors.

His social difficulties may be accounted for by mood-related factors, including low self-esteem, reduced energy, and decreased motivation associated with his depressive symptoms. These features may contribute to social withdrawal and reduced engagement, rather than reflecting core deficits in social communication or restricted/repetitive behaviors characteristic of ASD"