I'm trying to help my friend, whose children's behavior is very, very difficult to manage. She has five boys, ages 4, 4, 3, 2, and 7 months. The oldest two are identical twins. The children are in constant motion. They climb and throw and hit and bite. They never respond to the simplest request, so everything's a big struggle. They often run off in different directions, which means they can't be taken anywhere without at least two adults to manage them.
What I find most unusual and disturbing is a state they often get into in which they laugh in a giddy, almost maniacal way--it sounds very unnatural to me, almost spooky. Once they get started doing this, they can't be stopped. They just continue to laugh hysterically while running around and crashing into things. They almost never cry, for any reason.
This is, by the way, a stable and intact family, mother and father (married to each other) living with them, mother doesn't work outside the home. They are attentive and loving parents, though understandably stressed out. There are severe mood disorders on both sides of the family.
Here's my question: I have recently read that giddy laughing can be a symptom of bipolar disorder. I want to know how strong an indicator of that disorder it is. In other words, is this something that kids who _don't_ have bipolar disorder might also do--if they had some other disorder, like severe ADHD, for example? Or does it strongly suggest bipolar? Also, if my friend could get a diagnosis for them, would there be programs to help her? She desperately needs (but can't afford) full-time helpers. Thanks.