Tourettes

[forgotmyusername1]

Hi

My 10 year old son has high functioning autism and also has vocal and physical tics. Scouts have mentioned tourettes. Looking at the criteria I think he very likely does have tourettes but there doesn't seem to be much in the way of treatment. If there is no real treatment is there much point in getting a diagnosis or is it just another label. The ticks are throat clearing, head nodding and clenching his shoulders up. They have been going on for a while. Will drawing his attention to it just make it worse?

[TeenDivided]

No experience.
But surely a diagnosis would be helpful as it would explain behaviour. It would also mean when moving to secondary he doesn't get into trouble for behaviour he can't control.

[PragmaticWench]

DD (aged 10) has a formal diagnosis and I'd say it's really helped her to understand herself and explain the tics to her friends/teachers.

I raised a similar question on here about whether it was worth getting a diagnosis and was handed my backside on a plate about doing the right thing for my DD! I did then go through the process and the Consultant said that whilst DD doesn't currently need any support, the diagnosis means she could easily and quickly be referred for therapy to reduce tics in the future. If necessary.

The Tourettes Action website is helpful as well.

[caringcarer]

When my son was younger he had movement tics. His arm would fly out from his body. We used to joke be careful when you sit next to son as his tic might get you. He grew out of them as an adult.

[BooksAndHooks]

There is treatment, there are several medications available that help. It is definitely worth getting a diagnosis for their own peace of mind and being able to understand why it’s happening is a huge relief for them.

[forgotmyusername1]

Thank you for the responses.

Would calling gp be worth doing?

I have taken a number of videos

[PragmaticWench]

Yes, ask the GP for a referral to a paediatrician.

This morning I'm getting a copy of the letter confirming DD's diagnosis, to send to an exam board as evidence for adjustments in the exam (sit at the back or in a separate room so her tics don't disrupt others and so she's not anxious about the tics).