Wednesday December 19 on Dr. Phil Parents' Ultimate Test: Dealing with Autism

The ultimate test for any parent is loving a child who is difficult, sometimes frightening, to the whole family. It's a test parents of autistic children are put to daily. Ten-year-old Luce throws screaming tantrums, barks like a dog, and tells his mother, Sarah, that he plans to kill her. Sarah has long felt despair at Luce's out-of-control behavior, yet she was shocked when a doctor diagnosed him with autism. Go inside the daily life of this family, see Luce's wild behavior caught on tape, and learn why Sarah's main coping mechanisms might be putting her at risk. Then, a member of Dr. Phil's own staff achieved miraculous results for her autistic child and her whole family through an intensive program. Could a similar treatment work for Luce? Plus, what causes autism? Several recent media reports and high-profile parents, such as Jenny McCarthy, have pointed the finger at vaccinations. Is there a link? Child care expert and pediatrician Dr. Jim Sears weighs in. Then, imagine having a crime committed against you, but not having a voice or any way to tell someone you'd been wronged. Some mothers in Las Vegas say that's exactly what happened when a teacher allegedly abused their autistic children, and they've filed a lawsuit. Hear them recount the painful details of the alleged abuse. What are their chances of winning in court?