My beautiful child has developed a tic

[edalehope]

My child (10) is due to be assessed for ADHD and ASD. Over the past year they have begun a tic which looks and sounds like a tiny sneeze. It gets much more frequent and violent when stressed or very excited or emotional.

This weekend, they took part in a show - and in the final moments, they were so happy because it had gone well. At that point, it was sneezes ahoy and then what looked like a painful neck jerk, which is new. It was the first time that it was really noticeable to other people.

I'm hoping that they will grow out of it? I haven't talked to the doctor yet but not sure they will - or can - offer much help.

Definitely speak to the GP.

DS1 has a functional motor tic. We find ignoring it is best. Drawing attention to it makes it more frequent.

Thank you! I'm so sad about it. I don't want them to stand out in a crowd - it's a lot on top of their other challenges.

My dc has a neck jerk tic, paediatrician wasn't terribly concerned apparently it's fairly common in children. Definitely best not to draw attention to it.

My DD- then 5- developed a tic- shortly after our first appointment for her to be assessed for ASD. Never knew if that was just coincidental. It was a high pitched cough/throat clear. She would do it as many as 25 times in a minute whilst watching TV.
After 3 months of us ignoring it it went as suddenly as it arrived. When it first appeared I read in many places that ignoring it was best and not making a big deal of it with them.