True, Loth. I can relate to a few of this mother's worries. Before my difficult child was put on MS's, he had his stealing phases, he would get up during the night and roam the house-including coming to my bedroom and just looking at me sleeping, he has tried smoking cigarettes, he used to lose his temper with people at school and hit somebody. This Mom's kid needs a good evaluation and some treatment. At least those of us on this board get some insight that apparently, no one has given her. If she gets a local therapist like some that my difficult child/I saw, they might just tell her it's CD and be done with it. It sounds like she has already heard that it's her parenting skills causing the problem several times.
I want to advocate for more adequate mental health treatment and awareness but I don't know where to begin. And with the economic problems in our country right now, who would listen to the importance of this when so many people are faced with losing their home?