One of my best friends is a single mum of 2 - DS aged 8, DD aged 6. They see their dad about once every 2 months. Her DS has always been academically very strong, but is not the most robust little boy IYKWIM. Very sweet natured though. He was recently involved in stopping a bullying incident at his school and as a result, was then on the receiving end of some unpleasant behaviour himself from the boys involved. Since then, his behaviour at school has deteriorated and hasn't managed to do full days there. He screams in class, sits on top of filing cabinets and refused to come down, and has tried to escape from the school and run away. He has also talked a lot about wanting to kill himself 
, saying that he doesn't deserve to be liked. My friend says his behaviour at home is fine but he goes to school like a "quivering wreck". The teachers are apparently dealing with it under the anti-bullying policy and they have involved the school nurse who thinks he has the hallmarks of PTSD, and the specialist support teacher, who has diagnosed autism & early onset of puberty without even seeing him. One of his other teachers has very helpfully labelled him as "manipulative and attention seeking". My friend is so upset and her DD is now starting to become very withdrawn as well. I live 200 miles away and can't offer much support as a result. Has anyone had any similar experiences, or have any professional knowledge in this kind of thing? Thanks for taking the time to read this.