Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Flip

Original poster

Tics - any point seeing someone about it?

15 replies

mrsbaffled · 01/08/2012 21:10

Hello, my Ds (4.5) has had some tics since early on this year (I posted in Feb on here, so they must have started about January, I think), but they have got significantly worse over the last few days.

He wrinkles his nose and pulls his mouth to one side, blinks repeatedly and off and on has a more complex tic whereby he pulls at his collar. He also picks at his nails and even pulled off a toenail once :( Sometimes he does a gasping noise tic, but that hasn't heppened for a while. It's worse when he's concentrating on something (eg TV or angry birds LOL!)

When does a tic need investigating? Does it at all?

I think I am worried because we are going away with my parents ina few days and my mum ALWAYS comments on it (she always picks out thinks that aren't perfect - drives me nuts!), and it's really obvious at the moment. Also my dad had tourettes as a child, but grew out of it.

OP posts:

c4rnsi1lke · 01/08/2012 21:12

tell your mum that she is NOT to comment on it. Can your dad have a word?
There's no harm in having a word with your GP. Has he started school yet?

Original poster

mrsbaffled · 01/08/2012 21:13

He starts in September.

OP posts:

c4rnsi1lke · 01/08/2012 21:14

make sure the teacher is aware before he begins so that he isn't 'told off' for making noises and fidgeting with his collar etc

Original poster

mrsbaffled · 01/08/2012 21:19

Good idea. I have to fill out a medical form any way.

OP posts:

c4rnsi1lke · 01/08/2012 21:23

Your mum sounds like mine BTW - it's not easy to get them to change their ways. Best start early!

Original poster

mrsbaffled · 01/08/2012 21:28

She and my dad are a right pair. We have a few (minor) issues in our house at the moment (leaky taps and this like) and in the space of an afternoon visit they will have found and commented on EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM!!!

OP posts:

coff33pot · 01/08/2012 22:51

Video it MrsBaffled on your phone so you can take it to the GP to show. It is easier than trying to explain the tics as not all GPs are experienced. My first GP looked up to the ceiling with his own eyes when I said my DS rolls his and said you mean like this? Maybe he just wasnt impressed with what you were telling him

After observing some recordings it was a different matter.

Agree to tell your Mum not to emphasise on them or ask him to stop. My MIL and DS school used to do this and it makes him a whole lot worse because of course he is more anxious.

Original poster

mrsbaffled · 01/08/2012 22:54

I caught it on camera this evening. But just the face....

DH thinks I am worrying over nothing and he'll just grow out of it (DH had some tics too until he was about 18)..... not sure what to do TBH.

OP posts:

coff33pot · 01/08/2012 23:05

DD has a tic where she cracks her knuckles and it drives me round the bend but that is the only tic she has. My sister had this and grew out of it by teens and my bro had a permanent crease on his nose till he was 14 as he constantly twitched it like a rabbit.

DS on the other hand I got checked out the same time as the autism assessment partly because they were getting stronger and he also had a throat clearing one and a growling or high pitch scream that comes and goes which used to get him in so much trouble in school.

I am glad I did as because he also has AS/ADHD they advised being careful and recommending certain meds to use and not use as some can exacerbate tics. So it was useful for me at the time.

They dont bother him though and we dont make a thing of it. I think if it isnt causing your DS distress at present then I would do the watch video and wait approach.

They did say the tics needed to be happening for 6 to 12 months or more to ask for a dx assessment for tourettes. Which DS has had them since he was 3.

Original poster

mrsbaffled · 01/08/2012 23:09

I suppose they have been obvious for 9 months or so, but my mum would say longer. Pesonally I didn't see it before then (it was lots of blinking, but looked normal-ish to me), but she did, and turns out she was right...

OP posts:

coff33pot · 01/08/2012 23:29

I didnt notice early on either as I thought his eye rolling was a novel sort of "oh mother!" sort of look. Also when his throat clearing started it started the same age that eldest DD was when she started getting tonsilitus and of course she used to throat clear but it wasnt till a few trips to the GP and them looking at me that I was bonkers because he didnt have a sore throat that I started to wonder and then the eye rolling became more prominent when he started school and was tired.

tbh he is dx with having upper and vocal tics which has helped people to stop picking on him and emphasising things but other than that its not done much else but I was told should the tourettes become stronger or causing distress then there may be meds that can help possibly but I have no idea what and its a wait and see I suppose.

DietDiva · 02/08/2012 15:35

DS had throat tics for almost a year. Sometimes they would happen loads throughout the day but other days he would only have a couple when stressed. This went on for almost a year, took video evidence to GP and Consultant and both said just to ignore. Did some research on internet myself and found quite a bit about magnesium deficiency and tics. He's been taking magnesium supplements for a few weeks now and has only had about one or two tics since then and his behaviour (ADHD) has been great. I'm hoping its down to the supplements but am also aware it could be just because he's less stressed as its the school holidays. fingers crossed they dont come back when he returns to school.

Original poster

mrsbaffled · 02/08/2012 17:26

I give the Tinsley House supplements to his brother (8) but haven't given anything other than a basic multivit/omega to DS as he's the 'normal' one (!) and it costs a lot of money. I might try them on him too, then?

OP posts:

Original poster

mrsbaffled · 03/08/2012 12:37

We went to the doctors this morning and he witnessed the tics and I showed him 2 short videos. He said he thought they were 'habitual movements' as oppsed to involuntary tics. What's the difference??

Anyway, we will go back in a couple of months if it gets any worse or affects him when he starts school for a referral, but just to watch at the moment. And tell my mum to be quiet!!!!

OP posts:

coff33pot · 03/08/2012 22:00

biting your nails is a habbit! I am not sure what he means by habitual as oposed to volountary

Well at least you have it all logged on record for now and so you can insist on a referral next time with no qualms as you have already mentioned your concerns. I would just keep videoing on and off in the mean time and put it all on a disc incase of referral.

Yes and tell your mum to...............shhhhhhhh

Flip