Parents of a teenager with a severe behaviour disorder have withdrawn him from school, despite advice from staff.

Now Diana Gill says her son Matthew is in limbo -- she cannot teach him adequately at home, but neither can he be given the special educational needs status she says he requires.

Matthew, 14, suffers from a disorder that turns him into a disruptive and, at times, violent schoolboy. His parents are so worried that they have taken him out of Fitzharrys School in Abingdon.

A child psychologist has diagnosed that he suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a condition that can trigger explosions of anger.

Now he stays at home with his parents and three sisters in Berry Croft, Abingdon.

Mrs Gill tries to teach him with the help of books from the library, but says it is a losing battle.

"I am no teacher," she said. "We do our best but Matthew needs special teaching. He is dyslexic and has the reading ability of an eight-year-old.

"I took him out of school because of the trouble he was getting into. He was disruptive, suffering bullying, and got involved in fights. We decided to remove him from school before he was expelled."

When Matthew is on medication he is fine, according to Mrs Gill, 35. She says he gets on well with his sisters Natasha, 17, Hayley, 15, and Lauren, eight, as well as his friends and other relatives.

"But when he has his spasms he loses control, arguing and, at times, fighting," she said. "We have had to replace four bedroom doors which he punched and kicked in his tantrums. There have been times when we have had to hold him down to restrain him. Then he apologises."

She has had to give up a full-time job and now works part-time. The problem has put a strain on all the family, she said.

She believes her son needs a Statement of Special Educational Needs from the education authority, but cannot get one until he resumes mainstream education.

She claims no school will take her son, but the headteacher of Fitzharrys School, Dr Phil Bloomfield, tells a different story.

He said: "Matthew was not the best-behaved of pupils but he was not violent. We had no plans to expel him and it was against our advice that his parents took him out of school. He could come back if his parents decide it is in his best interests."

Parents are entitled to educate a child at home, provided the curriculum satisfies the education authority.

Oxfordshire education service spokesman John Mitchell said: "We believe that, except in most exceptional circumstances, the educational interests of pupils are best served by attending school in the normal way. Matthew's case is no exception and we are working with his parents to realise the objective of returning him to full-time education."

Mr Mitchell said Matthew was due to be assessed for a Statement of Special Educational Needs.

No quick fix for ADHD ADHD is a biological disorder probably caused by an imbalance or deficiency in brain chemicals.

There is no cure or quick fix for children with ADHD but it can be successfully treated.

A child with suspected ADHD needs a full evaluation and an individual treatment plan, which might include special schooling arrangements, behavioural therapy and medication.

ADHD: A Guide for Parents and Guardians* says parents must be fully informed about the disorder and know about their child's disabilities. Armed with this knowledge, a parent can be the child's greatest ally, it says.

*Published by Novartis (UK) of Frimley, Surrey.

Our sister paper, The Oxford Times, is helping to raise £20,000 for The Art Room, an Oxford-based charity which uses art as therapy for children with learning or behavioural difficulties. Cheques, payable to: The Art Room, can be sent to Promotions Department, The Oxford Times, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0EJ.