PANICKING ABOUT INVOLUNTARY MOVEMENTS

[allytjd]

DS2(7, suspected aspergers) has been getting more twitchy over the last week or two-eg. tongue rolling "popping" with his lips and various finger twiddling, foot swinging and zip fiddling. He has complained about the compulsion to "pop" distresing him. The last few weeks of school have been better than normal, his teacher is finally getting him, and we have been on half-term this week. He does it most when watching telly. His sleep has also been disturbed again after a good spell. Is he just tired and stressed, needing more exercise or fish oils? I'm worried because I know he is at greater risk of Tourettes and has already been to CAMHs about OCD last summer(which resolved itself). I hate that a new worry always emerges just when I have reached a calm plateau in parenting my challenging children (well, one of the three is NT but models a lot of his behaviour on his older brothers!). Sorry for the long post, any advice welcome.

As youve already mentioned Tourettes, can i say I know a lad about the same age who was diagnosed with it last year, and he finds the diagnosis a great help, as now he knows why he gets the compulsions.

And his school are very supportive for the same reason.

A lot of the kids with AS that I know have tics. DS1 meets the criteria for Tourettes (complex tics present for over a year) but hasn't got a diagnosis as it comes under his autism. I don't think it would be usual to get a dx of AS plus tourettes (as tics would be seen to be related to the AS). Tourettes and ASD type conditions do overlap quite a bit.

DS1 would do this- we get the popping and also verbalisations (its been cheesy for a while). As they haev manifested in the run up to / over half term I wouldn't personally worry too much- my experience is that's always a killer for new behaviours and stims, but that doesn't mean they'll last. A few stick perhaps, but lots tend to goonce they get back into a routine.

DS1 is HFA / AS and 8, by the way. (Also hve a more severely affected 4.5 year old).

Thanks everyone, DS2 has stopped popping and tongue rolling , it turns out he was coming down with a cold; he always gets more restless and anxious when under viral attack. I should have realised at this time of year. The poor soul had a massive nose bleed this morning, which he often does when he has a cold or hayfever but he handled it v.calmly unlike big brother with the blood phobia! He is back to his usual repetitive behaviour (running up and down the hallway thinking up imaginary fantasy scenarios, good job downstairs neighbour is v.deaf!

DS1 9 a few AS type traits, not full set, lots of anxiety, a few learning difficulties, & very operatic temper!

DS2 7 (poss' AS)is sweet natured but on a different planet and struggling at school despite being bright.

DS3 3 Sturdy, clever and happy, living proof that I'm not bad mother!