I was a "therapeutic foster parent." At least for us, we didn't get any special training or insight--all the "therapeutic" meant was we were willing to take difficult, older kids. We did not get the help we requested and were as clueless as to what to do as the bio. parents. Some foster parents can be very judgemental and self-righteous about how it's all your fault, and I know some bio. parents who were treated very poorly and had no input into their kids. There is sometimes a honeymoon. Often the kid is an angel for a while, then acts up and the f. parents ask for removal. A child can end up in many placements and it won't be up to you when he comes home. We got so disgusted with the system that we quit. Look into it carefully, talk to people who have done it, and don't take social services word for how it will be. JMO and experience, but I don't think they keep their word, in general. It probably depends on who your social worker is, but you're taking a risk, unless you really just don't care and want the child out of the home. Although I"m not a big Residential Treatment Center (RTC) fan, I think RTCs are a little better. At least the Residential Treatment Center (RTC) will keep the child. But CPS is CPS. You may not have the control over your child's treatment that you want to have. CPS also tried to terminate the rights of the parents of a few kids we had, but we don't know if it ever happened because the kids were sent elsewhere. Good luck with your decision. in my opinion, do careful research and make an informed decision. Once you're involved with the government, it's hard to get out of it. You usually can't just change your mind. Hugs to you. Sounds very difficult to you. Has his autism ever been addressed? My guess is that a foster family is unlikely to know one thing about Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)-not otherwise specified. Heck, my son's teacher didn't know about it. I had to educate her about my son's different way of thinking. A Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)-not otherwise specified kid is not going to "get with the normal program." They desperately need somebody who understands their disability or they will get beyond frustrated and act out. My son used to; now he doesn't. Has he ever gotten services for autism? Do YOU understand why he is so different? Do you understand Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)-not otherwise specified? What may look "contrary" or "oppositional" or "bad" can be part of the disorder, and interventions can really help. It's NOT a psychiatric or behavioral problem, not at the core. My guess is that the ODD and ADD are just part of the Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)-not otherwise specified, possibly not being treated correctly. There's a lot of hope for this disability.