Replies to 'Troubled Teens'

Oh boy do I need advice and help.  I have a 16yo adopted son who we adopted at age 6.  He was a cocaine and alcohol exposed child.  He entered the foster care system at the age of 11months after months of neglect.  He went through many foster homes, 2 pre adopt homes who all turned him back over to our state b/c of his behaviors. 

Over the years we got used to "M's" rages he was small enough we could basket holdhim until he called down.  Well now he is 16 weighs nearly as much as much as my parnter and I and is taller than both of us.  To make matters worse = I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 7 years ago. 

Two weeks ago, I reached the end of my safety rope.  M began to rage when he became grounded from his gameboy as I left his room - he ran after me and punched me 2 times with a closed fist in the head.. I fell forward and hit the door jam.  This terrified our other adopted children.  M then began running through the house turning over furniture and scream.  I got the other 3 children safe in their rooms while my partner attempted to get M on the floor on his stomach and sit on his bottom until his rage ended.  He usually - believe it or not - allows her to do this.  But I was in so much pain from being hit I said I had enough and said I was calling 911 over the objection of my partner.  While on the phone w/ the dispatcher he came and cornered me while onthe phone and began kicking me.  ... he then ran up the stairs put his foot through 2 walls, a door and slammed his bedroom door so hard he ripped part of the door jam off and put a hole in the wall where the door knob would touch the wall. 

So when police arrived, about 4 minutes later, it took 4 large officers to handcuff my son.  We immediately gave him his night time medication = zyprexa.  he continued to kick and scream.. then he began to calm down.  As we explained that he has been charged before but found not culpable b/c of his mental age (IQ is about 60-68).  The police decided that detention would not accept him b/c of his mental retardation so the only option was to the ER for a psych eval.   

So I followed them to the ER.. by the time he was seen 4 hours later, my son was sound asleep - it was 1am his zyprexa was in full effect and couldn't be arroused enough to answer question.  I thought best at that point since the CDMHP wouldn't find him a harm to himself or others since he was docile and asleep.  We left and agreed to see his psych the next day which took 2 days thanks to my HMO. 

So my questions.. anyone in the same boat.  I am even thinking of sending my son to facility that can appropriately handle his mental retardation, mental illness and obvious brain disfunction.  If you know of any facilities that take teen boys with low iq.. please let me know.   

I am now terrified of my son and everyday I walk on egg shells hoping to not set him off for fear he will attack me worse next time. 

j 

Oh boy do I need advice and help.  I have a 16yo adopted son who we adopted at age 6.  He was a cocaine and alcohol exposed child.  He entered the foster care system at the age of 11months after months of neglect.  He went through many foster homes, 2 pre adopt homes who all turned him back over to our state b/c of his behaviors. 

Over the years we got used to "M's" rages he was small enough we could basket holdhim until he called down.  Well now he is 16 weighs nearly as much as much as my parnter and I and is taller than both of us.  To make matters worse = I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 7 years ago. 

Two weeks ago, I reached the end of my safety rope.  M began to rage when he became grounded from his gameboy as I left his room - he ran after me and punched me 2 times with a closed fist in the head.. I fell forward and hit the door jam.  This terrified our other adopted children.  M then began running through the house turning over furniture and scream.  I got the other 3 children safe in their rooms while my partner attempted to get M on the floor on his stomach and sit on his bottom until his rage ended.  He usually - believe it or not - allows her to do this.  But I was in so much pain from being hit I said I had enough and said I was calling 911 over the objection of my partner.  While on the phone w/ the dispatcher he came and cornered me while onthe phone and began kicking me.  ... he then ran up the stairs put his foot through 2 walls, a door and slammed his bedroom door so hard he ripped part of the door jam off and put a hole in the wall where the door knob would touch the wall. 

So when police arrived, about 4 minutes later, it took 4 large officers to handcuff my son.  We immediately gave him his night time medication = zyprexa.  he continued to kick and scream.. then he began to calm down.  As we explained that he has been charged before but found not culpable b/c of his mental age (IQ is about 60-68).  The police decided that detention would not accept him b/c of his mental retardation so the only option was to the ER for a psych eval.   

So I followed them to the ER.. by the time he was seen 4 hours later, my son was sound asleep - it was 1am his zyprexa was in full effect and couldn't be arroused enough to answer question.  I thought best at that point since the CDMHP wouldn't find him a harm to himself or others since he was docile and asleep.  We left and agreed to see his psych the next day which took 2 days thanks to my HMO. 

So my questions.. anyone in the same boat.  I am even thinking of sending my son to facility that can appropriately handle his mental retardation, mental illness and obvious brain disfunction.  If you know of any facilities that take teen boys with low iq.. please let me know.   

I am now terrified of my son and everyday I walk on egg shells hoping to not set him off for fear he will attack me worse next time. 

j