Christy,
considering that difficult child was staying up half the night on the computer, we figured out what the problem was. I should have been more clear on that. Aspies do not do well on very little sleep.
He is doing much better now.
So a trip to the psychiatric hospital is not necessary at this point.
I do have an appointment with-the psychiatrist for a medication tweak in 2 wks. We are going to review the blood draw for his Imiprimene.
In regard to bipolar, yes, there is always that possibility. I am going to grill his bmom and grandmother when I see them next wk, for his birthday get-together. I just have to figure out how to do it subtly, because I don't want to tell them all about him. They don't need the worries, and I don't need the inevitable recommendations for things we've already done, not to mention every magazine article they see.
If he were to have a reaction to the Imiprimene, I think he would have had an out-of-control meltdown long ago. But you never know.
I wish we could give him Clonidine every day but I'm not sure of the side effects, or if you can build up a tolerance to it. I will ask the psychiatric. (Plus, it makes him sleepy.)
I think anxiety is his main issue. The teachers and school advisors all think so, too. Again, I will address it with-the psychiatric.
Meanwhile, I'm running an ad at the local univ for an after-school helper.