Looking for experience of stress-related symptoms like Tourettes in children...

[Kbear]

a child I know suffers Tourettes-like symptoms - I don't know her parents but I know they split acrimoniously and argue over the child and what she can and can't do when she is with the other parent etc. From what I gather, they use her to get at each other.

Anyway, I see this child in an club setting and me and other people that are present would like to hear from anyone with experience of this.

She can't stand still, she flicks her head forward and back and makes involuntary noises, amongst other things.

I am not looking to get involved at all by the way, what I do is voluntary and it's not my place at all, I just would like to hear other people's experiences.

I'm not quite sure what you/the others you mention want to know - are you asking whether Tourette syndrome can be brought on by stress, whether her symptoms could be just stress related, or something else?

Lots of experience here with Tourette syndrome, but if you could explain a bit more what the question is, I might be able to help

Thanks.

Well the leader of the club had a chat with her last night and the girl said she feels that the other children look at her and could we ask them to please ignore her and not to be scared when she has these episodes. We are not looking to get involved in an official sense, just while she is with us to help her feel we are approachable.

And do you think it could be stress-related?

Like many other conditions Tourette's can be made a lot worse by stress. And also by feeling others are watching/noticing. Take the girl's lead and do a simple explanation to the group about how she would like them all to pretend it is not happening, so she can get on with enjoying the club.

Yep, mouse is right. Listen to what the girl would like to happen and find a way for it to come about. Whether it is Tourette syndrome or not (and I have to say it does sound very like it with the motor and vocal tics), dealing with it in the right way makes a world of difference to her life. The wonderful way one teacher dealt with my DDs Tourette syndrome and explained it to the class made an incredible difference to her