Our son, 16, presents us with many, many problems. He is heavily into drugs - cannabis for the most part - but has dabbled in others. That's not uncommon in teenagers, of course. However, he has been caught in school and been the subject of a managed move to another one, where he successfully sat his GSCEs. He is extremely intelligent & has discussed quantum physics with his well-educated grandfather and run rings round him.
He displays some abnormalities (in my view) that make him 'different'
- He fails to realise risky/dangerous behaviour from normal - which is why he gets caught and has put his health in severe jeopardy on two occasions because of drug experiments
- He is easily led
- He has low self-esteem
- He is extremely abusive and doesn't apologise afterwards/sees no need to
- He empathises with nothing - except perhaps his similarly drug-addled 'mates'
- He has had a long series of friends, but no one constant as a best mate
- He is very manipulative
- He steals and justifies it in his mind as acceptable
- He has had many opportunities over the last two years to make better choices, yet carries on with his bad choices
Now, I don't know what that all points to, but it is leading him down a very dark path at the moment. I suspect there may be underlying reasons why he does what he does, but that's where my 'knowledge' ends. If there is a reason, at least I'd know why and maybe be able to seek help for him.
How can I get him tested for some sort of disorder? I really hope it doesn't have to involve CAHMS, though I suspect it will. They have not proved themselves to be competent or able to help.
Is there a private option?