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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

3YO with THROAT CLEARING/ COUGHING 'TIC'

19 replies

noonar · 15/01/2008 20:14

ok, maybe 'tic' isnt quite the right word, as i've only noticed it in the last week, so hopefully will just be a phase that passes.

anyway, she makes these little sounds in her throat every 30 seconds or so. its a bit worrying, tbh. but i havent said anything to her as i dont want to draw attention to it, or do anything to reinforce this new habit.

she is 3.5 and doesnt have a cough, cold or sore throat (that i'm aware of).

has anyone had a similar exp , and did it pass??

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Original poster

noonar · 15/01/2008 20:27

bump

OP posts:

Lynnsim · 15/01/2008 21:03

Hello,

I can't believe I've found someone else whose child does this! My 5yo son started doing this last summer and it drove me and his dad absolutely crazy.I mentioned it to my health visitor as it went on for weeks. She said it probably started when he had a cold and was just clearing his throat but might have turned into attention seeking. I have to admit he did receive a lot of attention when he did it, although not positive! Anyway, we started to ignore it and within a few days it stopped.

It has started again, just last week, but he has just got over a nasty cold, so again we will ignore it.

It might be worth asking a health visitor or doctor, just to rule out any medical issues. Otherwise you may have to ignore it and wait for it to pass.

Good luck though... I know how irritating it is!!

binkleandflip · 15/01/2008 21:05

my dd went through this at a similiar age - particularly whilst watching tv or a film at the cinema - came from nowhere and passed withing six months

Original poster

noonar · 15/01/2008 21:08

hi lynnism i have just google this and it seems it is quite common in undiagnosed asthmatics- who may have no other symptoms.

it is very irritating, but thankfully i have had the foresight to realise that i shouldnt give it any attention- negative or otherwise (most unlike me to hav such foresight-lol)

will let you know how it goes.

hope your ds kicks his habit for good, too!

OP posts:

Original poster

noonar · 15/01/2008 21:09

very interesting, binkle.

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binkleandflip · 15/01/2008 21:12

interestingly, I am an asthmatic and I remember clearly doing the whole throat clearing thing for some time before I was diagnosed - I did have dd checked for asthma before this behaviour began and she isnt asthmatic - it just came out of the blue and it drove us to distraction! As you say - it is kind of a tic - then when she got attention she would do it more then start to do it less until she stopped thank the lord!

ScoobyDoo · 15/01/2008 21:12

My ds does this he is 5.4, he does it most when he is relaxing ie: watching tv, going to sleep or listening to a story.

It can be irritating when your trying to relax to & all you can hear every 30 secs is a noise lol

Not sure what it is but ds has had it for about 6 months now...

slayerette · 15/01/2008 21:29

I can't believe there is a thread on this - I asked my doc about it just yesterday! Ds does it every meal time, when listening to stories and when just playing/relaxing as others have said. It drives me and DH mad! but the doc said we have to completely ignore it - no reaction whatsoever. She did ask if he was otherwise 'a robust little lad' because it can be a physical rather than psychological symptom of asthma or other allergies like hayfever (not in this blimmin' weather!)

I feel guilty in case I've caused it in some way...

Original poster

noonar · 15/01/2008 21:36

slayerette, seems its more common than we thought!

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katylessbumpy · 15/01/2008 21:39

my ds is 11 and still does this.he started about 6 and has gone through a variety of noises,hand tapping,blinking and such.he was seen by the hospital and we were told that he would grow out of it eventually.he tends to do it more when he is chilling out.he is a lovely,thoughtful and well mannered young man who is a joy to have around(most of the time)he is aware that he is making noises but we tend to ignore them.he did suffer from asthma when he was younger but has not had an attack or needed an inhaler since he was about 8.

it does drive me bananas sometimes though

Original poster

noonar · 15/01/2008 21:41

oh katy, poor you. am hoping taht my 3yo will grow out of it.

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Helennn · 15/01/2008 21:47

My dd has also been doing this for a few weeks now! She has had 3 bouts of asthma type episodes, (can't remember correct name, ), but none recently so it is interesting that it could be linked.

I was starting to wonder about it, but know now just to ignore it and hopefully it will disappear.

Helennn · 15/01/2008 21:48

Meant to say, my dd is 3.5 also, (born 6/7/04), so very coincidental!

Original poster

noonar · 15/01/2008 21:49

spooky, helenn. dd2 born 16th july 04

OP posts:

katylessbumpy · 15/01/2008 21:49

to be honest it's just part of who he isthe hospital did say i could film him and they would view it and refer him if needed but we didn't feel the need.my niece lives in new zealand and is the same age as him.apparently she does it too!

beautifuldays · 15/01/2008 21:58

omg ds started doing this today! is it contagious?!

right i will ignore, ignore, ignore and cross fingers...

btw anyone know how to stop a 3yr old biting their nails?

kbaby · 15/01/2008 21:59

DD does this too. I noticed it a few months ago. She does it more when shes sat quitely and in the morning. Shes 3.5. Ive always ignored it and never mentioned it to her. I assumed it was just because she had a cough a while nack and had got into the habit of doing it.

beautifuldays · 15/01/2008 21:59

ooh sppoky ds born 5/6/04

Helennn · 15/01/2008 22:04

Go on Kbaby, what's your dd's date of birth. Do we have a strange June/July 04 phenomenon going on?

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