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8 year old with Tourette’s, what’s for best???

2 replies

Cloud152 · 21/11/2018 08:02

Son who’s 8 has Tourette’s, noticed when he was about 5/6 years motor and vocal ticks also both and the same time, flagged it with a doctor over the phone who said pretty much yes it’s Tourette’s but best to try and manage it at home.
So for the last few years they come on and off, we can tell when a “tick” is about to come on and have explained to him what ticks are. Had some bullying last year at school the usual name calling making him feel uncomfortable (his tick at the time was opening his mouth wide)

In general, he’s a quirky little boy, cheeky in his own way which we wouldn’t change, he has no filter, in the sense he can say something inappropriate and find it funny, and you can tell him to stop, but it’s like don’t touch this red button he just has to push and push and push. Which is strange because he’s not a defiant child at all with anything else. He also can’t sit still, for anything, when asked to stay still he just becomes more agitated. We have questioned ADHD but are still unsure on what Tourette’s with ADHD looks like.

In general, he’s the most well behaved boy in the world, everyone always says upon speaking to him how mature he is for being 8, his vocabulary, and just his being. the past I’d say 2 years he’s addicted to his PlayStation. If you have to do anything that means he can’t play he can get so upset, angry, he’s said on a number of occasions “he would rather die than go shopping” which I know, is pretty normal for a child but it’s getting to the point where it can be anything but PlayStation makes him so unhappy.

He is active he does boxing 4 times a week, has a good group of friends, very bright at school. my question is how do people deal with it? Am I doing what’s best by letting him do the one thing he loves? (PlayStation)
He’s being referred to a specialist after speaking with his doctor a few weeks ago, after he shouted “chicken” randomly in a quiet setting. With him having Tourette’s I’m always questioning is that the Tourette’s? Is he just being a normal 8 year old. If anyone has any advice, a similar situation I’d love to know how you go about normal things and situations really and if anything helps! At the moment the only time he’s not ticking is when he is asleep!

Also if anyone has got to the specialist stage what actually happens?

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
Chatterboxnz · 27/11/2018 07:14

Tourettes can be Comorbid with other disorders such as autism. Unfortunately, when a hobby or interest becomes a "need" that interferes with day to day life, such as refusing to do tasks because they would rather engage in the activity, it becomes an addiction.
Tics can be caused by worries. The child doesn't want to do it but just can't help it. Motor tics tend to be very stiff in nature. Verbal tics can include clearing the throat or saying random things.
If the motor tics are not stiff and are more fluid in nature, he may need to be assessed for autism. Stims in autism are repetitive and fluid in nature, such as flapping the hands. They are used to self calm in situations that are stressful.

Woopsimsorry · 27/11/2018 07:18

My ds has Tourette and ADHD. The ticks were horrific until secondary school she, when he actually just stopped doing them! I'm guessing that he just grew out of them!

He's now 15, has an official diagnosis of ADHD, plus has quite severe anxiety and depression Sad

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