Exactly where do you practice medicine? Only a licensed, registered physician/psychiatrist would think to suggest or imply that this child may have a diagnosis of autism, Asperger's, or OCD. The mere idea of judging any one's mental status based on a short televised interview is appalling. My grand-nephew, who recently turned 5, is considered "gifted"; he tests out at a third grade level. The love(s) of his life are vacuum cleaners and have been since he took his first steps. Yes, he does have some assorted vacuums (not as large a collection as this story's owner). His parents are neither indulgent nor rich, just plain people who love their son enough to accept his choice of toys, albeit vacuums, at this point in his life. Some may consider the amount of cash spent to purchase an old vacuum (as much as $5.00 at a yard sale) far too extravagant, LOL. Also, those family members, friends, and neighbors who need to replace their old models will make his day by gifting him theirs. While other children may have a library of movies, computer games, action figures, or collections of some sort, the thought would never cross my mind to slap an autistic or OCD label on them. My grand-nephew also loves the outdoors, his pets, playing basketball, baseball, tennis, and golf. He also memorizes manufacturers and model types of automobiles because it's "fun"! For whatever reason, his toy of choice is a vacuum and, I must say, his standards for cleaning carpets are "white glove"! I see there are other posters who agree with your surmission. My heart is saddened by those whose energy is expended embracing a negative attitude rather than choosing the positive. My son is also gifted. I, on the other hand, am certainly not, but we both have a diagnosis of OCD! I don't believe we exhibit any seemingly abnormal "characteristics" or "quirky" traits as you would suggest, but, then again, after reading your derogatory comments, diagnoses of depression may be apropos.