Calm down. (I know, easier said than done, but there are answers). If you go to county mental health services, which is necessary in some situations, you may not be getting the best diagnosing. I'm wonder what type of doctor diagnosed your oldest son. He has some red flags for something that could be misdiagnosed as bipolar (happened to my son) and I doubt a county psycologist would know what to look for or how to see it. Can he get evaluated by a neuropsychologist through the county? Do you have Medicaid? If so, perhaps he can get an evaluation through a university hospital. They often take Medicaid. I'm saying this because I don't think they've gotten to the root cause of why you son allegedly misbehaves. I also don't think he is trying or meaning to be rude, and I think the school has no understanding of what they are dealing with (and are unlikely to figure anything out until it is spelled out for them). It took us years to get the right diagnosis. for our son. We were dealing with marginal income and Medicaid too, so I know all about county mental health services, but all things behavioral are NOT always due to mental health/psychiatric disorders or ADHD. Some are strictly neurological, but present as "bad behaviors." I'd want to get another opinion and an evaluation by both a board certified Child Psychiatrist and a NeuroPsycologist (the neuropsychologist will do intensive testing to see if his performance and behavior backs up the diagnosis, which are often wrong in young kids). I looked hard and found some good resources that took Wisconsin State Insurance. Now I don't know how it is in California. Wisconsin is excellent about accepting medical assistance. Our entire neuropsychologist evaulation, done by a private neuropsychologist for twelve hours, was covered. Our Univerisity Hospital Psychiatrist was covered (although he never got my son right). I'd call around and see your options. You may have more than you think. Hugs and you'll get other advice here. But keep an open mind about why your son may be acting the way he is. Sadly, often the first diagnosis. isn't the right one. if it is, he badly needs medications.
