Tics and habits

[Himalaya]

DS2 (7 years old) seems to collect tics like Pokemon cards.

At the moment he is constantly doing little jumps and flicking his head to get hair out of his eyes (it isn't long enough to reach his eyes). Before that he was snorting (clearing nonexistant phlegm out of his nose) and before that sucking spit in through his teeth.

They aren't real Tourettes-like tics, in that I don't think that they are completely involuntary, but he gets very upset when you tell him to stop and says he can't.

I'm partly worried that it is a sign of something underlying, and partly because I don't want him to get teased or isolated at school.

He has suspected dyslexia, and describes himself as being 'like Brick from The Middle'.

Should I worry, ignore, try to help him manage, go to the Doctors?

Hi
I am no expert so can't offer any solid advice but thought I would tell you about our DS who developed a severe facial twitch about the same age. We put it down to him being subconciously worried about going to middle school. He was quite a sensitive little boy. I did take him to the doctor who suggested putting him on steroids! Obviously wanted to avoid that. It was so bad one day we actually took him to A & E as I was worried he had something in his eye! Also saw an eye specialist privately - no joy. In the end, a friend who was studying Shiatsu massage offered to give him a massage as she thought it may be stress related. After the first massage, I swear it was about 50% better. One week later he had another. After about 3 sessions, he was totally fine. We worked on the basis that we had nothing to lose and it worked for us. A year later it came back to a lesser degree. He had a massage and after a a couple of days was fine. Hope your little boy gets over it - I am sure he will in time.

Thanks lightdemerera I might try that.