Throat clearing ‘c’ sound - tic, stim or cold?

[DustyGlow]

DS is 7. He’s had a bit of a cold on and off throughout the last few months so it could be related to that.

He's started making a ‘c’ sound in the back of his throat when he’s breathing out. I’m listening to him now and it’s on most out breaths. Hard to describe, like something is catching in his throat - an almost imperceptible throat clear.

I’m wondering whether it might be a tic or a bit of a stim. I’ve asked him about it and he says it’s just a habit.

It’s driving me slowly mad but I’m not mentioning it in the hope it disappears.

There are signs of neurodiversity. Any advice / tips to stop it? Perhaps just earplugs for me?!

Bump 😊

Hi, we have just had similar with our 6 year old. He had a bad cough/viral infection in November and as this went away a constant throat clearing remained. We took him to the GP as it had been after the time NHS website stated. He had a slight crackle on chest so they gave him antibiotics after two weeks the doctor got back in touch and as it was still happening they have given him an inhaler and booked him in for chest xray as precaution. It had almost stopped since using inhaler it but he’s had another cold recently and it’s started again. The GP told us that it could be post viral or it could be the start of asthma as this is a common age for it to surface. I would take him to GP if it has been over 8 weeks.

My 7 year old tics, he often Mmmms before speaking and clicks his tongue too. He highly suspect he has autism and/or ADHD, but we suspected that before these tics started due to his behaviour

DS had this as a tic. And had post nasal drip and inhalers!
The speech therapist advised us re the tic, and that’s the age they most often start. I’d go to the GP mentioning that it’s become habitual and a bit of a tic, and see what s/he suggests.

My son does it and my husband neither were aware until recorded. They know they do it and can’t stop. Both have ASC.

Thats exactly how I realised he was doing it, A voice note I recorded and can't unhear it!!!

My DD started this when she was about 7, it was after a heavy cold so I didn't think anything of it. I was at the speech therapist with ds2 and DD was with me and the speech therapist phoned me after to ask about it and if I had any other concerns. I said it was just because of a cold and she said no, it was definitely a tic. DD was diagnosed autistic the next year.