Anonymous wrote:OP again. We had a neuropsych eval when he was very, very young, age 3.5. The neuropsychologist said if ASD, its ever so slight. She said he was extremely gifted.
The reason I am frightened but feeling utterly defeated here is- I think its very alarming when a child has had several suspensions but still can't change his behavior, and, in fact, steals while in the principal's office. Who does that?!
Granted, up until age 7, we raised him with kid gloves. He was an only child. He was my parents first grandchild too. Spoiled. Pampered. Had no chores. All the toys he ever wanted. When he started stealing that year though, I drew the line and we were firm with him. I made him stay after school twice a week to do chores for the teachers he stole from. This went on for a couple of months.
But here we are, three yrs later, and although he has stopped stealing, he still disrespects people's property, is disobedient, does not listen, and keeps looking for ways to get around rules. What kind of diagnosis is this? Why doesn't any medication work?
He lost a few friends. Parents do not want their kids to invite him to birthday parties. He has few, if any, play dates. I do not think he falls within the realm of normal.
I am simply at a point where I need the best damn doctor in the country to try to get him help one last time, or I need to give up as perhaps there is no hope for him. I want to cry but that is where we are. Its been a long and fruitless journey, over 14 doctors and various diagnoses with no resolution.
No OP don't give up!!
I am the PP who mentioned a possible personality disorder.
http://psychcentral.com/disorders/antisocial-personality-disorder-symptoms/
Symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder
Antisocial personality disorder is diagnosed when a person’s pattern of antisocial behavior has occurred since age 15 (although only adults 18 years or older can be diagnosed with this disorder) and consists of the majority of these symptoms:
Failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest
Deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure
Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead
Irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults
Reckless disregard for safety of self or others
Consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations
Lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another