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Could my daughter have Tourettes?

8 replies

theabysswithin · 15/11/2017 22:39

My 6 year-old DD, who is otherwise healthy and (as far as I can tell) happy, has in the past week developed this compulsive tic which consists of almost constant noises with her mouth which I can only really describe as like beat-boxing sounds.

It's literally almost non-stop. I'm a) worried that it could be some sort of compulsive behaviour and b) incredibly irritated by it although I'm trying not to show it. I've asked her about it in a non-judgemental way, i.e. is she doing it at school all the time (she says no).

Should I be worried? Could it be a sign of anxiety? Or a neurological thing? Or is it a phase? She doesn't seem to be psychologically disturbed in any way and seems happy -- her dad and I are separated and getting divorced and that has its stresses but this happened over two years ago and its not a source of acute stress to her as far as I'm aware... dad and I are on cordial terms, at least as far as she is concerned, and they have a good relationship.

She went through a phase of doing something similar about two years ago and this passed after about a month. It may be nothing, but I'm struggling not to show how annoying I find it. Any ideas?

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theabysswithin · 18/11/2017 19:30

bump. Does anyone have any advice on this?

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Donhill · 19/11/2017 06:11

Hi op, i’ve no experience of this but I would suggest you take a video of it while she is doing it, just in case you ever do need to get professional advice as evidence of what she does. Also it will be a good record for you to compare to in the future if it gets better or worse. I would also possibly keep a note of how much she is doing it each day. And if you think it might be compulsive behaviour then I think there are lots of books available about compulsive behaviour and thoughts and anxiety and I would see what techniques they suggest. It must be difficult because I know when I am worried about something it makes me much more irritable with my children which is the opposite of what I want to be!

Catalufa · 19/11/2017 10:54

I think this could be a response to stress, or just an annoying habit, or it could be a sign of something else. I know a couple of children with ASD who have tics - does she have any other indications of ASD? I would take her to the GP if I were you (or make an appointment without her but describe it or take along the video).

theabysswithin · 19/11/2017 13:46

Thanks all. Catalufa she has no other symptoms of ASD and no-one's ever raised it with me so I'd be surprised.

I think the video thing is a good idea -- have been trying to do this today but inevitably once she knows the camera is on her she starts to "perform" and it stops.

It may be nothing but I want to check it out for the sake of peace of mind.

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theabysswithin · 19/11/2017 19:16

Another thing: should I convey to my DD that I find it highly irritating or that I think its unusual? I've tried not to so far as I don't want to make her feel inadequate or like she's under scrutiny but I also at some level want to draw her attention to it because I want her to be aware that its unusual...

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Catalufa · 19/11/2017 19:26

Maybe calmly say to her “don’t make that noise DD” in quite a casual manner but without making a big deal of it.

theabysswithin · 19/11/2017 19:38

I'm really struggling with it -- I can't stand it and I have to fight the urge to lose my temper with her.

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theabysswithin · 23/11/2017 14:34

Nudge: can anyone help with this at all? I'm really struggling with it -- feel its going to drive me insane. I am going to take her to a doctor about it tomorrow and get his view. I know I need to ignore it but I find it so hard. I can't just switch off my irritation.

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