Ticks

[Ihavenobrain]

My ds had a tick when he was 3 for a year. Then when he was 6 for a year. He's now 10 and he's got another one.
Could this be a sure sign of developing Tourette's ?

[Ihavenobrain]

Whoops spelt it wrong. Tic

[Ihavenobrain]

Is there anyone out there

[chickenfried]

Hi

The definition of when it turns from tics to tourettes is when they have been constant for over a year and there is a phonic tic. ( i think !) you have "tic free periods of time.

The phonic tic could be throat clearing , sniffing so might not be obvious.

The difficulty I have found is that its actually quite hard to be sure that there were no tics in the interim - things you barely notice I realised with hindsight were tics. ( touching mouth )

And some are not too visible ( tummy clenching)

We are about 2 years in to various changing tics -nothing phonic yet.

My DD as seen by a neurologist who said def chornic motor tics poss tourettes - come back if it gets worse.

Hope that helps !

[Ihavenobrain]

Yes fab. Should I take him docs?

[chickenfried]

i went to see the doc when my daughter was 6 when it first started

i found the less attention i drew to it the better however so i video'd her ( she was head jerking ) and went alone to docs so DD didnt see I was concerned.

GP referred us to consultant nuerologist at local hospital for assessment (the appointment took about 2 months to come through ) - i took her to that - where she was observed and chatted to - it was interesting as they picked up things I hadnt realised were tics and also talked about other stuff - like emotional effects.

the consultant said it looked likely it was tourettes but she said we should leave it a year before an official diagnosis.

From our conversation they dont actually do a great deal even when they do diagnose tourettes. They only medicate in extreme cases when the tics are interferring with the child living a normal life.

She mentioned that they do consider doing CBT ( Cognitive Behaviour Therapy ) - more for older children ( about your DS age)

I think I would go if I were you - it helped me with briefing school and having something official to go in with (that she had been seen by a consultant)

it also helped me come to terms with it a bit

The other place to go for info is the Tourettes Action group - they have forums and practical advise on dealing with tourettes/tics.

feel free to ask if you have any more questions
x

[Ihavenobrain]

Thank you so much for this.
I will take him and then I'll probably have more questions