Any experience of tics in children?

[JBright]

Hi everyone,
My 5 year old ds has recently started having tics, to be honest I’m completely heartbroken and scared. They are both verbal and motor tics. We have seen the GP who essentially wants to “watch and wait” but honestly I’m not sure what can be medically done anyway. DS is neurotypical, we have experienced a bereavement recently which may have been the trigger. I have never experienced them myself nor dh.
Are there any recommendations for natural remedies? I’ve seen some say they have had success with liquid magnesium, but not sure which one or how much to try?
just grasping at straws really and also hoping if anyone has positive stories to share.
thanks so much.

My DS has had many different ones over the last few years, he’d outgrow one and move into another. I’ve just realised he hasn’t had anything noticeable for a few months now. Definitely think it’s something they grow out of and is very common. Try not to worry.

It's fascinating to me that it's so common and often they grow out of it. I would love to understand what is going on in their brain that makes them feel compelled to do it.

Thank you! I’m so pleased to hear things worked out for your ds. It sounds like he is doing amazing. Yes I’m struggling with the idea of totally ignoring them, I keep thinking surely there’s something I should be doing or saying in a helpful way. Maybe I could let my ds know he doesn’t have to suppress them too and that he can let it out.

Tics are incredibly common in school aged children and rarely persist/sign of something worrying. It may well be a response to the recent bereavement.

My son gets vocal and motor tics periodically. They stay for a few months then disappear. Often there’s an identifiable trigger eg bereavement, sometimes just the start of term seems to trigger it. He’s otherwise a very happy, reslilient and well adjusted child.

If your GP isn’t concerned then I’d quietly watch and wait. Try not to worry about it, definitely don’t draw attention to it, and don’t be tempted to over medicalise it x

Thank you, I so hope my ds can also work his way through the one he has at the moment, it does seem to be the general pattern so thank you for sharing. I wondered if you wouldn’t mind sending me a dm with the magnesium you have tried, if you have the time? Thank you again for sharing your experience.

I'm a deputy head at an Infant school. I've known quite a few children of Infant age to have tics. Usually the advice from the doctor is to keep a diary about when they happen, what the child is doing etc. Sometimes it's when they are concentrating, sometimes when relaxing etc to see if there's any pattern, so might be worth doing this.

However, in my experience most of the children do grow out of them in time, as PP have said. Sometimes the tics can change from one to another but they do eventually stop altogether. Don't draw attention to it and let the child just be. If you really want to stop them in that moment, distraction with something else is the best way but generally leave it alone.

Parents understandably do really worry but honestly it is fairly common and as I say children do generally stop altogether when they grow older. Just monitor it but please don't worry too much.

Thank you, yes they do seem to be very common, I haven’t personally encountered it so much so I was completely unprepared/ clueless. I will try not to worry! It’s so hard but these positive stores are really helping so thank you x

I'm going through this with my 9yo DS currently. We lost his aunt recently (8 months ago) very suddenly and they were very close. The tics started immediately afterwards. Initially they took the form of face scrunching but in the last week have developed into face stretching (best description), repetitive sniffing and eye rolling.

It is so hard not to worry about it. They very clearly worsen when he's anxious or has something on his mind. I'm constantly questioning whether to acknowledge it or just ignore it. He starts the new school year in a couple of days so I've let school know that they have worsened and that he is likely very anxious about it. Their advice was to ignore it all and they will be doing so too.
I'm sorry your DS and you are experiencing this too. I've found this thread so helpful, so thank you for starting it 😊

Both of my sons had tics in early childhood. Totally outgrew them.
But especially between ages 5-8, they both struggled. I didn’t discover the magnesium link until my second son had tics. Worked wonders.
I noticed how many of the kids at my DD’s previous primary school had tics after lockdown (my younger DS included). It’s definitely an anxiety response, in my own unprofessional opinion.

I always have a bottle of chewable magnesium in the cupboard. It’s good for sleep as well. It’s just kind to our neurological system.

Thanks so much and I’m sorry to hear you and your ds are going through this too. My ds lost his aunt too, a few weeks ago, it’s so hard when you’re already going through something and it triggers something else you’ve got to get through too at the same time. I’m glad you were able to speak to the school before the term starts - I might just try that, I hadn’t considered if they would be open so thanks for giving me the idea. I’m so glad this thread has helped you too.

My DS started with quite severe tics age 4. He's 7 now and they are so much better than before. They did wax and wane, usually full on for about 3 months then a small break, then a new tic would start. Main things that work for him is a magnesium gummy before bed & no late nights. The hospital said he will outgrow them.

Hi OP my DS has had tics since about 3 or 4 and is now 14. They haven't gone completely but are A LOT better. We tried a few things but honestly the most successful has been ignoring and waiting for him to grow out of them.

Thank you. I’m sorry to hear your two sons struggled with this too but so reassuring to hear they completely grew out of it. I’m praying that can be our experience too. Totally agree it’s anxiety - I’m reminded of a book I read “the body keeps the score”. Glad to know magnesium worked for you too - there’s so many positive stories about that, I have to try it. Thanks so much for sharing your experience.

Following as my son has some tics and suspected PANDAS. Would be interested in the magnesium info too!

Thank you! I’m so glad to hear this was the case for you both and also that the magnesium helped. I’m definitely going to try it!

I had various tics growing up. My parents never said anything to me about them but told me when I was an adult that they just assumed I would grow out of them. I was a nervous child but as I got older the tics faded away. Occasionally if I'm tired or stressed I feel one coming on but I seem to be able to control it and not let it takeover now. I'm in my 60s and didn't really know about supplements growing up but they sound like they would be worth a try.

This has been so helpful - thank you op and thank you @Arthurnewyorkcity as the way you explain has really helped.

You sound overwhelmed with everything. I hope you’re getting some support yourself. the tics are nothing major in themselves, they will pass, you’ve done nothing wrong.
Yes the EMDR was a huge success. We found a brilliant therapist who was trained to work with children x

I hope things improve soon and that school are able to help you. I just wanted to offer my condolences for your loss and to send my thoughts to you and your family 💐

A magnesium tip too. We use the Better You magnesium spray on our DC (and ourselves!). I put it on the soles of their feet at bedtime (and their tummies if they can tolerate it. It’s a bit itchy but makes for a good nights sleep).

Ds had a very noticeable tic when he was 10/11. Think massive wide jaw stretch. Started v suddenly, we did see GP who said watch , wait and ignore. Did mention it to school who did the same. He's 21 now and apart.from the very odd jaw tensing when he's tired / stressed he doesn't tic. He's neurotypical and it settled in18 months. Hopefully your son will to the same

Thank you so much. My sincere condolences to you and your family too for your loss x

I just wanted to thank everyone so much for sharing their own experiences with me, this post has helped me so much and I feel less overwhelmed. I was / probably still am struggling but I feel calmer ready to show up for my kid now.

I've had them on and off since I was little. The best thing I've found is not to think about them.

Hi OP, this has started now for my little boy also who’s turning 5 soon. For him it’s blinking one eye. Took him to the GP who referred us to see a neurologist. Just wondering how you are getting on now? Like you I’m also quite anxious about it all.