As a mother to a 8 year old daughter who is on the autistic spectrum, she has PDD, but she is a behavioral nightmare at times, my heart goes out to your friends. There is help out there for them in the way of a behavioral specailist through their school district. The child is three so he qualifies for the ppcd program, or early childhood program. I wish them the best in getting the help they need to parent their child. It indeed takes help from a professional to know how to parent these children properly as you know. I wish them luck and many prayers!!!!
S Pete