Could large adenoids or sleep apnoea be linked to motor tics?

[Lcw29]

My 6 year old has developed motor tics with his face and neck.over the last month or so.

I'm really worried. He's emotional and can't focus. He's exhausted which means his behavior is a challenge.

He's under ENT for large adenoids and sleep apnea. Could this be a cause? Or something else?

If you are someone who has tics, then the fatigue from OSA could make it worse. But it wouldn't turn someone who doesn't have tics at all into someone who does. Tics in children can be random, or are sometimes linked to anxiety, or to neurodiversity. It's also important to be confident that they are tics, and not for instance a focal fit (though tics are a lot more common).

Is there anyway to really tell the difference?

If you can capture some with your phone, you can show it to the GP. If they're not sure, they can refer to paediatrics.

Just a little update.

Gp spoke to pediatrician who said at the moment he feels they are are just tics caused by extreme fatigue due to the sleep apnea. However his weight has dropped so he is being tested for celiac disease and getting a full blood count. If his weight hasn't improved by December then he'll be seeing a pediatrician in person. He's been referred to a dietician in the meantime and has his ENT appointment next month where we will push to get his adenoids out asap.