Help for 9 yr old

[Kate165]

Is there help for a 9 yr.old boy, 3rd child in family. Sets fires, killed turtle, hospitalized 3 different times, only kept 5-6 days at each facility. Manipulates people, and staff sees what he wants them to see. Shows no remorse at what he has done, treats hospital stay as fun.At home goes into rages when he doesn't get what he wants. Tried to kick window out of car when Mother would not stop & buy him a bike, (has 3 already) Attacked both parents, uses foul language. Diagnosed with: PPD, ADHD, Asbergers, form of Autism, at different times. when told he can't have something keeps at the person, can go on for long periods of time. threatened to destroy home while parents sleep, has punched holes in walls. TSS coming to the home now. This is my grandson, lives in Penna., 30 miles north of Allentown, about 20 miles outside of Pottsville. What can be done, and soon, before he hurts someone, or himself?

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Your grandson should be admitted to a residential treatment facility; he should not be treated on an outpatient basis. His parents can speak with the Social Services person about the process that has to be undertaken to obtain such treatment.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Just to be sure I gave you the correct address, I tried it myself and it is the correct web site.

[Kate165]

Thank you. I tried the web site, but it would not come up. will keep trying, and will share this with the parents, who have yet another meeting with a doctor this week. The child does have the Access Card, due to the ADHD, it is their secondary insurance for Alex.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

You cannot do it yourself (unless you are pretty wealthy - residential treatment costs upwards of $60,000/year). Each state has its own mechanism for gaining access to such care. Take a look at the following site:

http://www.pinofpa.org/resources/factsheet_10.pdf

It will tell you about residential treatment access in Pennsylvania.

[Kate165]

re: my 9 year old grandson, Alex, where do we find a residential treatment facility. He was initially in Kids Peace, they only kept him a week, the other 2 hospitals kept him less than that. Parents are disgusted with Kids Peace, who diagnosed him with Asbergers. Where do they go for help?