I feel horrific saying this but I need to vent. My DS 10 has quite severe Tourette’s- physical and verbal, he is often unable to finish a sentence at all because the verbal tics are so pronounced and his physical tics can be painful and make basic tasks difficult ie writing and eating. This obviously makes his life hard, but he seems mostly oblivious. He also has ADHD and autism. The ADHD medication makes the tics worse but he also can’t function to focus without the support it gives him. I am at the end of my tether- and I KNOW it isn’t his fault, but I wake up in the night hearing his tics, like an earworm. I’m genuinely concerned I’m losing my mind. I’m anxious all the time, when he talks I feel my body tense. The tics are so loud and so pronounced that it’s physically painful and I often have to wear loop earplugs to be near him ie whilst in the car. Today we were at the shops and people were staring, he didn’t even notice, but I know why they are staring- it’s so loud and intrusive and it not being his fault doesn’t change that. I never make him feel like it’s his fault, I occasionally ( a few time a week probably ) say that I’m sorry, and that it isn’t his fault, but that I need a break (whilst driving) so I can focus and ask him to listen to the music instead of chatting for a while. He talks non stop because of the adhd, he has no impulse control. If he has a thought it flows out of him. He has had the tics for quite a few years now, so this isn’t new.
And I’m so aware that in black and white that looks awful. But I’m really really struggling. And I don’t know what to do or what support there is or what can be done. I just really need some help or advice or solidarity or sympathy, please.