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Children's health

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Hard blinking

8 replies

Minikievs · 08/02/2024 11:25

Hello, I'm looking for a bit of advice on my early teen DS.
For a couple of years now, he's formed a habit of hard blinking every minute or so. It's not excessive blinking in that he blinks a lot. More than it's a really hard screwed up eyes blink every so often.
Think Mrs Popov in Rentaghost.

I've spoken to him about it. He's aware he does it, but to an extent it's involuntary. He has said that he feels he "has" to do it though, but can't explain why.

A few of his mates at school have teased him and said it's "autistic stimming". I have never heard of this, but have had a very brief look into it.
I have previously considered that he potentially had low level ADD, but I've never really looked into it, it's more been a passing thought.

Does anyone else's child do this? Is it worth me taking him to the doctors/opticians? (He does go once a year but I never mentioned it last time) Or would it be more likely to be a "tic" given that he says he feels he has to do it?

Any advice grateful received

OP posts:
FloofCloud · 08/02/2024 11:43

The need thing is typical for tics (DD15 is both ASD and has Tourette's) - I'd be inclined to talk to the school and ask about their thoughts. If it is some sort of ND issue or TS, there are different pathways to go down. Is it just the blinks or have you noticed anything else like throat clearing or vocal things? Eg my DD used to randomly say hello or I love you, sometimes repeating it or saying it twice over 30 ish seconds

FloofCloud · 08/02/2024 11:44

.... or it may just be child tics that often go!

Minikievs · 08/02/2024 11:51

Thank you for replying. There's nothing else at the moment-no throat clearing/sayings/other visible or audible tics.
I'm not sure what I'd say to the school tbh, as I'm not sure there's "enough" for them to have noticed anything.
It's mainly a mild feeling I've had for a while, and then when he mentioned the "need" to blink and what his friends have said about stimming, I think it's put more strength to my musings.
I assume it would be more pastoral care than SEND that I would email?

OP posts:
FloofCloud · 08/02/2024 12:53

I'd chat to the teacher first as they see so many children it may just be a transient tic - then maybe speak to your GP or if school suggest the healthy families route, take that option

Good luck

Minikievs · 08/02/2024 19:53

Bump for the evening crew

OP posts:
mycatsanutter · 08/02/2024 20:19

My ds10 went through a phase of blinking then I noticed that stopped and he did random shouting ( the same thing ) at the moment he says the same thing to the dog on repeat . I have noticed that when one behaviours stops another starts , none of these behaviours are exhibited at school .

Origamiheaven · 08/02/2024 23:33

Does your ds spend a lot of time on a screen (ipad or similar) my ds at a similar age did the hard blinking thing and optician said it was due to 'dry eyes' as wen on screen for longer periods, you don't blink as much. My ds just stopped doing it over time

FloofCloud · 09/02/2024 04:04

mycatsanutter · 08/02/2024 20:19

My ds10 went through a phase of blinking then I noticed that stopped and he did random shouting ( the same thing ) at the moment he says the same thing to the dog on repeat . I have noticed that when one behaviours stops another starts , none of these behaviours are exhibited at school .

Has that been happening a while? It may be worth contacting your GP? My DD Tourette's started in a similar way ... it could just be transient tics too of course so don't worry ... saying that Di theory anyway as it can be relatively easy to control - in fact my DD was diagnosed at 13 and the psych said to her that it can disappear completely and she was upset because she said it was part of her

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