Ds makes noises.

[CloudPerson]

He's 16, we strongly suspect ASD/PDA, but he also ticks boxes for dyslexia and dyspraxia and we are wondering about Irlen's as well.
Since he was little he has always had a "habit" on the go, licking stuff, making little noises, sniffing, clearing his throat etc, as soon as one would pass he'd start with a different one.
He tends to do this more at home, although when he was at school he would occasionally feel compelled to make noises.
Sometimes I think he knows he does it, and he has said that he has to do it or he feels all wrong.
We tried to raise many things from when he was in reception, but didn't get anywhere.
He's been HE since February, he is more stable mentally, but more obviously ASD as he's no longer having to mask all the time.

Recently he has started to be upset about the noises, but says he can't stop it (even though he can control it better when in public).
Is there anything that can be done to help him? Any strategies I can pass on to him?

[CloudPerson]

We did wonder about Tourette's but there are no movements with it, just the noises.
It's definitely worse when he's anxious.

[CloudPerson]

He's been doing variations of this for 11 years now, but it's only now that it's bothering him (doesn't help that dd started laughing at him yes she has been bollocked and won't do it again!)

Ds was referred to CAMHS a few years ago after he was badly bullied, but he was discharged as he was "fine", in my area they now turn down all but self harm and suicidal cases.
I might talk to the GP and see if she can refer him for cbt.

I've ordered some overlays to see if it helps with his reading, there's also a specialist optician locally (if I can get ds to see them).

[CloudPerson]

We have approached people (teachers/SENCO, dr's, CAMHS) about this and other things before, but as he masks they can't see anything so it's clearly not a problem.
Just wanted to say that so you don't think we've neglected things.

[CloudPerson]

I remember you mentioning that on another thread - have you got yours yet?

I think he'll be open to trying things, as he was upset about not being able to read a Guy Martin book, says he opens the book and just can't do it. I feel so cross that we've let this go so long, and have allowed ourselves to be fobbed off for so long!

[CloudPerson]

Thank you

[CloudPerson]

The local specialist is in the region of £300-400.
If we can help him a bit trialling with overlays he might find reading a bit easier.
He was assessed for dyslexia, but he had weird results (according to the lady we saw), I suspect now it was demand avoidance at play. (ds2 did the same during his wisc test with the psych, he came out with a really low IQ, which the psych laughed about and said there was no way it was an accurate reading, as he's very bright).

[Ineedmorepatience]

Cloud seriously dont beat yourself up! Your son is not even a quarter of the way through his life and you have clearly really supported him. Taking him out of school will give him some recovery time and time to address the problems that are bothering him the most!

Be kind to yourself

[CloudPerson]

Thank you Ineed

[KOKOagainandagain]

cloud DS1 (also 16) has a diagnosis of Tourette's and your DS sounds very similar - you say no motor involvement but then list sniffing and throat clearing - these are also motor - there may well be other stuff that you are normalising. DS1's tics changed over time and also included blinking, snorting, neck and shoulder movements etc and were 'perfectly' related to stress/anxiety levels. His verbal explanation of stress was never as informative as looking at his body language in general and tics in particular.

Now that DS1 has been out of school (breakdown of ss placement) for two years he is almost completely tic free to the extent that I forget that he ever had them. Then there will be a stressor and they reappear or new ones appear.

At their worst, I totally ignored them whilst at the same time noting that the situation resulted in tics iyswim. If they are noted, or other DC mention them they are reinforced and stuck for longer ime.

[tartanterror]

Thanks for posting this. Our DS has recently begun with tics and I have been worrying about what to do (or not). It was sniffing at first and has now developed into throat clearing. He is at least partly aware that he is doing it but isn't aware of how noticeable it is to others (as we have been trying to ignore it). I was wondering if it is stress as he gets very little support at school and, at least, has stopped destroying his clothes and equipment..... I will lurk here for any more tips....

[CloudPerson]

He went through a stage of stretching his neck out which lasted a few weeks.
We also think he possibly has OCD, lots of germ-focused things going on involving what and where he will eat, people in the house, places he will go etc.

I think there's a lot of normalising going on, and several years of being told that everyone does this and we're being over-anxious.