David* continues to flummox even the best of doctors assigned to his care. At the age of seven, he continues to be nonverbal, not even making attempt to even try to speak or emerge from his own little world. He continues to be aggressive towards younger children, even the staff or adults, and is still basically more like an infant in development.
It is very discouraging, to say the very least.
We don't know what to do.
We've tried behavior modification therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and whatnot, but it's as if we are beating our heads against the wall. It's as if David chooses to be the way he is.
Maybe it's because he misses his mother, I don't know, but his mother has been stripped of all parental rights and cannot visit her son. She never even showed him any love or suported him in any way; all she cared about was getting drunk or doing drugs. We don't know if his severe behavioral issues were caused by lack of love or parental guidance, a physical or mental problem, or what, but David continues to act quite feral in nature. It is as if he's been raised by wild animals: untamed and wild in temperament.
David is still not toilet trained; any attempt has been met with aggression or violence (on his part): he wears diapers and will only eat certain foods; any food he doesn't like (milk, juice, vegetables, especially peas or carrots) is only spat back out. He prefers to run around naked or wearing only a diaper. He hates baths and is oftentimes very filthy and unkempt. His hair is a tangle of wild curls; he won't even allow people to try to brush or cut his hair. The last time one of the staff did, she had to get her finger stitched because David bit so hard he nearly bit her finger off; she had to get stitches.
We are trying to come up with a plan to help this child but we remain confused and unsure as how to help him. This child is in dire need of help on all fronts, but again, any help we try to give is met with much resistance.
~To be continued!~
*Not child's real name.
