While watching, I thought about whether he could have been abused when he was little. I worry when I hear that former scouts are acting out like this- especially with all the former scout masters who have been found to be child abusers. The reason I never sent my son to scouts is purely because of all the leaders who have been arrested for abusing scouts. My own brother was angry like him after being molested by our step-father. SO much pain unable to be vented other than by hurting those around when in all fairness the abusers would be copping it.

After reading quite a few posts, some from people that think they are oh so smart about autism, it is obvious that people still dont understand autism or tv.
First, Dr Phil did NOT diagnose this kid in 1 hour (including commercials). He put a lot of hours into research behind the scenes BEFORE the show ever went on.
Second, autism is such a large spectrum. Each child usually has a secondary diagnosis that cause other issues too. Each autistic child is an individual person with their own personality also. No two are the same and you parents of an autistic or professionals should know that. If you have a severaly autistic child that also has retardation, it will be so different from a high functioning autistic with bipolar. Even if you have two mid functioning autistics with adhd, the medicines could have a different affect on the children, which means each child will behave differently.
Third, the thing with the underwear & bras....most (high funcioning) autistic kids hoard or obsess over something. Who knows why his is underwear & bras, he may not even know but even if he does know why he is not going to be able to  explain it. Chances are as he gets older his interest will change.
Fourth, everyone has had a thought, if even for a minute, that they are so glad that nobody else knew they had. Can you imagine if everything that enters your mind came out of your mouth? You are told NOT to say certain things & you want so bad to fit in but yet, once again, that thought came out loud and clear. Then you hate yourself once again...depression sets in with a whole lot of negative thinking. Your parents love pull you through once more but then the cycle begins again...
Fifth, unconditional love and acceptance of a person does not mean that the parent coddles or lets their kid get away with everything. We know our kids need help but we have to be very careful of who they are around so 'locking them up' in a detention center or a psych ward is not a good thing. They can come out more confussed and with more challenging behavior than when they went in.
Come on people, grow up and educate yourself or dont bother posting.

I am dealing with the same type of problems in my 11 year old son and I have NEVER heard of this before!! I too am interested in getting in contact with you about this!!

You mention he still likes I love you moms, and Legos ect... Well I have a 14 yr old and he still likes the light on, still give hugs and cuddles, and most definitely still gets love yous!  Do all kids are different with that stuff, but at 14, 15 and even 16 some still are afraid of the dark....I'm 42 and I sleep with a hall light on!

JKISSES,



i agree! Autism has many, many different faces! It's range it huge! If that body does have it then it may be an extremely rare or original case. All cases are different as are all humans. A mental disorder does not equal a less than normal life nor does it equal a mass murderer. His case may be rare, but it still might be autism. But it doesn't mean every autistic person has those traits.

Were we watching the same show? Your comment just massed all teenagers in one lump! The show was aboutht his boy and 'his' family. How do you know how he was raised? You assume he was coddled? By the way I'm a mother hen, who DID coddle her son and guess what? He turned out great! Never once had a temper tantrum! There's far too many criteria in a child's life before you can label him or her or their upbringing. Each case is independent . Your comment is your opinion I guess, but why make it so judgmental? My guess is you don't have kids, and you've never dealt with someone who has a disease of the mind.

Wow! This show was big one!



i felt so sad for the mom, dad, and the son! Can you imagine the torment that poor body goes through? I want to thank Dr. Phil for explaining to the masses some of the reasons people head down that kind of destructive path. I cannot believe the medications that those doctors prescribed over and over and probably in combinations! Toxic cocktail to anyone! List itself contradicted itself! If that wasn't already struggling mentally he sure is now!

i don't think I've ever seen Dr. Phil so effected by a show. You could see how it engulfed him. Please do a follow-up with this story! I pray for that boy and his family. I was in tears watching the show. 

it was so disheartening to see a family look for resources and get nowhere! The mosouthbound be commended for her efforts in seeking out help for her child!

i can honestly say Dr.Phil this is one show I'll never forget. And I think it's one you won't forget either. You are God sent and we as a society are blessed to have you! Keep on keeping it real!

i truly hope and pray that family finds some peace. They all deserve it, especially that boy....heartbreaking.

I remember I had an aunt will was considered Mentally-ill.  She could be sweet, turn violent and plenty of times the police was involved.  I have seen the inside of mental institutions but I don't remember terms like Bioplar or ADHD.   She was never normal but did go on to marry and have normal children.   My question is what is in the water and why are our child likely I have some sort of disorder than not?  It seems the percentage continues to increase and not decrease.  Parents are having a hard time getting their children to adulthood because they are worried if they will become killers in their childhood.  Do we need to go back to you eat what you harvest and grow and the old way of vaccines?  It seems with all these new and inventive changes of compounded vaccine shots and all these life shelf preservative put into our foods, it seems like it is all at a cost.  As much as I feel for their son, I really feel for these parents.  They obviously love their son but they have been hitting bricks walls for 16 years now.  How he only has a 4th grade education is horrifying.  How does one live with someone that holds their heart in their hand and at the same time pray this isn't the day he is going to kill me???  I pray this boy receives the help he so desperately needs and we don't read about this couple or this mother in the newspaper.  I will be looking for a renewed chapter for all.

Why is it so hard to get help for our children? If they had a medical condition they would be treated properly. Isthe mental health field really that far behind? I am not looking for a miracle pill, just some support and help so my child can be happy and grow to be a good citizen.

You obviously have never had a relative with mental illness. Until you have been in the shoes of a parent with a mentally I'll child, you really should be more compassionate.