Hello, Sounds like you need the advice of a professional. Try searching the ADDitude Directory. for a health care professional in your area.

Good luck, Dena

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I'm so sorry you are in such a tough situation. :( I'm not a doctor or a psychologist but hopeful my insight will be of some help.

First, you need to understand that your sons unusual behavior could be caused by an abnormality in his brain or even be a lack of certain neurotransmitters. Check out Dr Amen from the Amen Clinic- http://www.amenclinics.com/ Dr Amen specializes in SPECT brain imagining which shows the parts of the brain that aren't functioning correctly so those specific parts can be treated. (unfortunately, he is expensive and doesn't accept health insurance.) You could also speak to your sons primary care physician about local resources for this type of brain imagining.

Another cause could be an unstable environment. I found a disorder online called ABDL - (Adult Baby Diaper Lover) which seems to be about, wanting to be babied, be taken care of, or wanting to feel comfortable, safe and secure. If that's the case with your son, then having stability in his life would seem to be of the utmost importance. I suggest talking with him about it with an understanding voice instead of an accusing voice. Tell him he isn't alone and that you have read about other teens who struggle with the same issue. Tell him you aren't judging him, and you understand, that you want to help him feel comfortable, safe and secure. You could offer to read to him or have him read to you for 15 minutes at a certain time of day or before he goes to sleep. Another way would be to play a game with him like uno or skip-bo. Even though he is 15, he is probably very immature for his age and still needs the security of a mommy like a much younger boy does. (I had ADHD as a kid and I was several years behind in maturity for my actual age and I still struggle with maturity as an ADD adult.) *I highly recommend you first consult a therapist, (possible a cognitive/behavioral therapist) who is willing to actively work with your son, as well as, give you suggestions on how you can work with your son to help him. Also, don't be afraid to speak up! Give the therapist an idea of your expectations. If you don't like what they are doing or what direction they are taking, make sure you speak up and tell them!

To help with your financial situation go to your local Department of Social Services. Apply for food stamps, cash assistance, child care vouchers and health insurance for all of your children. I'm pretty sure Texas offers - Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) & Children's Medicaid. They should also offer a directory of current job openings and help with finding you a job. Go to your local Housing Commission/Housing Authority and apply for the section 8/Housing Choice Voucher program. Section 8/HCVP is a program that allows you to choose where you live and will help to pay a portion or all of your rent. There may be a wait list; however, people who are "homeless" (living out of a hotel) are more likely to get selected first. Go to your local Child Support Enforcement Agency so that you can obtain an order against the father for child support. It doesn't matter if he isn't working. If he does start to work, or receives disability, social security or unemployment they will garnish his income regardless of the source.

Don't not feel bad or guilty for utilizing all of the resources that are available to you.

I wish you luck! Take Care!

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thank you both for your advice. jen- yes my son is VERY immature for his age, with the last tests they did on him they said he is the emotional age of a 9 year old!!. which only makes these years more difficult for him as he is going through puberty and watching everything the kids his age are doing but can not understand right now. so he is copying what they do and say but doesnt know why. then he talks and does things that are not appropiate and it is hard to explain to him why they are.

i will look that stuff up on line. i do agree with you about him wanting to be babied because he actually does say that he wants to be a baby again. i spend more time with this child than any of my other 3 and i just dont know what else i can do with him.

i know the stability thing is probably a HUGE part of all this and hopefully once we get more settled it will get better again. as far as asking for help i have never seen a more backward system then texas. i went to the local office on monday and was there from 10:30 am until they closed and they still didnt get to me so i went back tuesday and they finally tell me that since i got a little help this month from wisconsin that they can not help me until after feb. 1st!!. luckily i do get ssi for my son so i get a monthly payment of $674 and i do get a monthly payment from his father for child support of a whopping $326 for the four kids but that is because he is also on ssi and thats the most they can take from his payments. but with having to stay in the hotel that money was gone along time ago. i am hoping to find some good counslers down here for him soon. but again thank you for all the advice and i am still hoping someone on here has had some first hand experience with this sort of thing.

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I have a nephew and son with many of the same disorders. I also teach special ed and as well am ADD. Although I have never thought of doing those things, my son since recovering from addiction has told me that he would always do what I reacted to. He said it was not always what he planned, but it happened. I suggest quit responding to it. I won many battles this way, even when people thought I was crazy! GOOD LUCK

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