Our Aspergers Teenage Boy

Dad reports:
Tommy went to his psychologist yesterday and before the appointment began he was yelling at his mother in the waiting room. The doctor had the fortune to observe the interaction unawares to Tommy. Tommy went into the appointment along with Mom and acted psychotic. He did all the disrespectful, noncompliant behaviors he’s been doing at home and highlighted it with top of his lungs screaming at the doctor.

The doctor pointed out that despite adjusting medications that Tommy has quit responding to therapy and is in decline and that “home must be hell.” His recommendation is a long term care facility for half a year or more of 24/7 observation and ongoing intensive therapy.

Off and on for quite some time we have warned Tommy that if he did not strive to improve he could end up on this path. Not long ago we confided in Tommy that his grandfather was making a recommendation of “finding him a home” and now its right up in his face. Needless to say, Tommy is stressed and reacting poorly. Yesterday I pointed my finger at him. We were in close proximity and he cowered and began bawling that I hurt him. My finger never contacted him. We are trying hard to whisper around Tommy and not react. I personally am trying hard to keep the kid gloves on but even with these precautions he breaks into tears and howls at everything we do and say. Everything is an agrument. His every word is an angry yell.

We all have our limits and breaking points and Mom and Dad have both slipped into name calling, begging, forceful removal from the house, idle threats and about anything to get him to quit upsetting everyone else. This afternoon I asked him to step outside and he dropped his 227 pounds (weighed last week) to the floor and yelled louder so I wrestled him to his feet breaking his glasses in the process and the puppy flipped out and whined, cried and barked begging us to quit. (sidebar: It’s nice to know the puppy wants to protect the kids!)

I wish I could snap him out of this.