Anyone else have a child w/facial tics?

[StephMK]

DS started by blinking a lot around Halloween. I took him to the eye dr & she saw some signs of allergies in his eyes so gave him eye drops. They didn't help and then he started sniffing all the time (Jan) and rubbing his nose. Then he added a grimace. Now it's a wrinkle and a tongue roll while sucking in air. He's pretty hyper unless he's playing video games, then he sits still & calmly.

I have called the dr twice over the months & both times the nurse tells me it's pretty common, don't address it & eventually it will go away. I suspect this is the nurse I don't like that couldn't draw blood from my teen DD correctly and now it has to be re-done.

On one hand, I have read that tics can be common & not sure anyone can fix them anyway. On the other hand, I know tics can be a sign of Tourette's & some other things & DH wants to get him checked out. DS is identified as highly gifted so he's kinda quirky anyway but I don't want kids to tease him. As of now, one asked but DS just said it's a bad habit.

Anyone have experience w/this?

 

[brergnat]

If he can control it (like when he's playing video games), it's probably just something he does to calm himself or when he's nervous, etc. A lot of autistic kids do this. It's called "stimming". My son has autism, and the stims change. Now, it's blinking a lot and nodding his head up and down quickly in small movements. He also touches his right shoulder with his chin a lot. Over the years, he's stimmed by:

-flicking his ears with his fingers
-putting his hands up his pant leg (with shorts on)
-chewing on his fingers

I'm not saying your son has Autism (although, when you say he is "quirky" and "gifted", I have to wonder if he might be on the spectrum and you simply are not aware of it.

If you think about it, EVERYONE stims sometimes. Tapping your foot, twirling a pen in your hand, chewing gum, humming. Those are all stims. You do it when you just feel the need to move, or do something that provides a sensory input for you. Lots of times, you might do it to calm your nerves, or when you're bored, etc.

Tourette's would be a possibility if the tics interrupted normal activities, and were NOT something your son had any control of.

 

[woodkins]

Both my husband and my dd7 have Tourette Syndrome. Some of what the previous poster has posted is misleading. DH has a pretty "severe" case of TS he has both vocal and motor tics: head jerking, grunting, throat clearing etc. My daughters tics right now are coughing and eye blinking. How old is your son? Typically TS symptoms emerge between 7-10 yrs old. You can have him evaluated by a neurologist if this is something you would like to pursue. Both my DH and DD do not currently take medication for their TS, but DH has in the past. This is a personal choice and is re-evaluated periodically. We look at how the tics are effecting their ability to function on a daily basis.

I personally think that if he is not tic-ing while playing video games that is NOT an indicator that it isn't TS, my husband plays super competitive softball and when he is up at bat he does not tic at all. According to the doctors if they are highly focused yet relaxed (at the same time) the tics will often wane. Anxiety will increase the tics, so that is why some people will say it is a nervous habit. My husband CAN control his tics (to a point) and most people with TS can. They can hold them in for short periods of time, which for my family results in a larger burst of tics later on.

You can find lost of information at the Tourette Syndrome Association of America website: www.tsa-usa.org

Hope this helps & Good luck to you & your son.

 

[StephMK]

Sorry, I wasn't very clear about some things. He still has the tics when he plays, just the rest of him is more still. If he's not playing games or eating, he is jumping off furniture, spinning (not in his own world, just bouncing around) and rolling around on the couch, leaning over the arms, just very wiggly. Some might be the result of a long cold winter.

He is very social and does not display those type of social autistic behaviors. (I just did a research paper on autism for a grad class I'm taking so I understand why you brought that up & he does have some things that could be considered). However, he does love his routines but fine w/transitions, very black/white in terms of fairness, etc. I guess quirky due to loving his routines, kind of emotional, friendly but doesn't click closely w/many kids, playground friends but not ones that invite him over outside of school though we invite them. He is also 1.5-2 yrs younger than his grade which doesn't help.

The big flag for me was talking to him a week or two ago. He said he feels like he has to do them and I wouldn't want to be in his body. I guess I thought more Tourette's just because from what I've read, it hits at this age - he's 7 - and it has progressed from blinking to adding more facial movements. The nurse says tics can be common & can go away w/in a year so not sure. It may be nothing but I'd hate to ignore something that should be addressed.

 

[brergnat]

That statement about not wanting to be in his body...have you heard about Sensory Processing Disorder? Look into that. It can cause a host of issues. My younger son has this. The spinning/jumping thing you mentioned caught my eye as well. That can be due to Vestibular System Dysfunction. My son spins a LOT, is constantly jumping off furniture, hopping around, etc. He craves that vestibular input, and it keeps him functioning normally and better able to focus.

Plus, he has social issues too. He's definitely NOT autistic (doesn't meet the criteria), but we knew he wasn't "typical" because he has some autistic characteristics due to sensory processing that makes him act in ways that mirror autism. SPD is a crazy, convoluted condition. It can manifest in a HUGE amount of ways.

And, what I said about him being able to control it...I should have elaborated more. I should have said, if he has COMPLETE control over the tics, it's not Tourette's. I know a kid with Tourette's that has NO tics when he is playing his instrument, because it focuses him. But, he cannot make them stop completely. That's what I meant. When your child said it was a bad habit, it would be interesting to ask him if he can for a whole day NOT do any of them. If he can't, or he starts a NEW tic, there is something going on beyond his control.

 

[brergnat]

However, he does love his routines but fine w/transitions, very black/white in terms of fairness, etc. I guess quirky due to loving his routines, kind of emotional, friendly but doesn't click closely w/many kids, playground friends but not ones that invite him over outside of school though we invite them.

This is my younger son, the one with SPD, to a T. He WANTS to engage and play with kids, but he doesn't quite know how (he also has a major speech delay, so that doesn't help either, since he lacks the maturity in language that his peers have). He has his routines, and gets "stuck" sometimes in some that don't really serve a purpose. He's very emotional. Gets upset at every minor injustice. Doesn't have any "friends" other than classmates. Has problems with change sometimes.

It sounds like something is going on with your son. You should have him evaluated by a Pedi. Neurologist. The Pediatricians, honestly, are not that well versed in childhood development. They are great for when your child is sick, but not so much when it comes to mental disorders.

Was your son advanced a grade? He might be having some difficulties with social issues at school that are maybe the root of this. If he is quirky, and the other kids tease him, and they are ALSO older than him, he might be really feeling like an outcast. Or, he might be having problems coping with something academic there. Have you asked him about school?

 

[amez]

My step-son would do things like that when he was younger-lots of blinking and he would make a chirping noise. It usually occurred when he was stressed out or worried. He is nearly 19 now and hasn't done it in many years-and nothing was found wrong with him.
I would definitely have your son checked out to be certain, but it could be just a nervous habit.
hth

 

[StephMK]

Thanks for the responses, it feels good to "talk" and get some feedback. He was grade skipped in 2nd so it's not new & academically he's scattered & disorganized with his assignments but aces the tests so his grades are fine. I know he has a teacher (DD had her last yr) that has a reputation but DD never had issues. I'm not sure she's entirely fond of boys, if that makes sense. So that could be a possibility. His favorite friends were all in the same class for K-1 so they are closer but seem to play w/him at recess.

He tends to say things honestly and sometimes things that might hurt other's feelings but he doesn't get that as he feels he is just saying the truth. But he cries if I fuss at him and gets upset when they learn things at school like that koalas are endangered & often get hit by cars.

I'd read something about overstimulation and motor but didn't realize when it was mentioned that it was an actual term and not just a general description. I'm not familiar with SPD very much & am off to research. Thanks so much, I appreciate all the suggestions.
.

 

[MomRN]

My son had an issue with this about 6 months ago. We took him to the ped to make sure it wasn't a physical problem. After checking to make sure he didn't have anything in his eye (he didn't), the ped stated it was simply a tic. He stated he thought it to be odd because it was something more often seen in children on ADHD meds, and he'd never noticed it this young (just turned 3). It started right after he started pre-school.

After a couple of months it stopped, but was replaced by a sound that he makes that even I can't describe. That continues today, but happens less frequently.

On his 4 year old check up I will address with the doctor some of these concerns. He may be on SPD spectrum somewhere, or it may be anxiety driven. He has been evaluated by our local programs, and is on an IEP in pre-school because of his inability to perform tasks on his own. After just a few months he was able to successfully complete the goals that were set for him. He's always been the kind of kid that didn't do something until it was done right... when he started walking he ran the same day, talking he spoke a few words at once, potty training and only a few accidents since. If he can't do it right he won't do it. He's also very particular about playing.

Anyway, that's my story about tics. Diagnosed as anxiety, but there may be more to it than that. I definately think that he has OCD to some degree (separates his M&Ms, will sometimes not eat unless instructed to take a certain amount of bites....)

 

[bwilcox]

My son started that same blinking thing about two months ago. He didn't even know he was doing it. Everything I read said it is normal and just to ignore it and it will go away. He did stop the blinking and now he blows air slowly through his mouth. He is perfectly "normal" in every other way, so I don't worry about it. When I was a kid I went through a stage where I sometimes felt I needed to stretch my neck. It worried my parents a lot, but eventually I got over it.

 

[woodkins]

My dd that has Tourette's also has Sensory Processing Disorder. She was a 3lb-er preemie and has received many therapies and interventions. A great resource for info on SPD is the book the Out of Synch Child. Many people with TS have SPD and visa versa.

My dd said the same thing as your son, she said that her brain tells her body to do things and even if she tells her brain not to do it it happens. She asked the Dr. if she could make the tics get out of her brain and body

The majority of the time the diagnosis and treatment of Tourettes is to observe and monitor. I would also make the teacher/school aware of what his current tics are and to ask them not to draw attention to it. My dd's tic is coughing so she was constantly being asked if she was okay, sick, sent to the nurse etc. This was especially "fun" during the swine flu epedemic We knew we would not be medicating our dd for her tics at this time, but we took her to the dr so that we could establish a line of communication and support, and if the tics suddenly changed, worsened etc we would have everything in place to take further action/interventions.

 

[woodkins]

My step-son would do things like that when he was younger-lots of blinking and he would make a chirping noise. It usually occurred when he was stressed out or worried. He is nearly 19 now and hasn't done it in many years-and nothing was found wrong with him.
I would definitely have your son checked out to be certain, but it could be just a nervous habit.
hth

Many boys with TS tend to develop their tics between 7-10 yrs old and then they fade and many times disappear in the late teens. This is very common.

 

[ToyStoryBo]

Not sure my story will help with your situation, but thought I'd share it anyway. DS developed an ocular tic after having pneumonia and taking albuterol. The pediatrician referred us to a neurologist. The neurologist wanted to rule out absence seizures, so he did an EEG. It was negative, and DS hasn't had the tic since the EEG was done in December.

 

[mrsmarilyn]

DS started by blinking a lot around Halloween. I took him to the eye dr & she saw some signs of allergies in his eyes so gave him eye drops. They didn't help and then he started sniffing all the time (Jan) and rubbing his nose. Then he added a grimace. Now it's a wrinkle and a tongue roll while sucking in air. He's pretty hyper unless he's playing video games, then he sits still & calmly.

I have called the dr twice over the months & both times the nurse tells me it's pretty common, don't address it & eventually it will go away. I suspect this is the nurse I don't like that couldn't draw blood from my teen DD correctly and now it has to be re-done.

On one hand, I have read that tics can be common & not sure anyone can fix them anyway. On the other hand, I know tics can be a sign of Tourette's & some other things & DH wants to get him checked out. DS is identified as highly gifted so he's kinda quirky anyway but I don't want kids to tease him. As of now, one asked but DS just said it's a bad habit.

Anyone have experience w/this?

My son (Autistic/Aspergers, Gifted IQ) is quirky and sometimes tic'y. It comes and goes. We suspected Tourettes at one point, but it isn't enough for them to call it that. It def. comes and goes. His is shoulder hunching/head bobbing/grimacing. Some days its barely noticeable, some days more so. The neurologist is keeping an eye on it, but at this point there isn't much they can do.

I hate my son being teased too--it breaks my heart. He has real medical reasons for what he does, but the other kids call him names. It makes my heart ache for him.

 

[iwrbnd]

Your son sounds like mine. He's smart, quircky and has dealt with tics. His doctor and I joke that in the pool of autism/aspergers he got splashed!

He told me for Tourettes you have to have both a motor and verbal tic. Until then it's "Transient tic disorder" which is actually pretty common. My son is a teenager and doesn't show any anymore.

I also saw on the news (now this is a long shot) that you can get tics after exposure to the strep virus. It's called PANDAS. It wouldn't hurt to google it.

Good luck!

 

[eyes4eeyore]

My daughter has Tourettes. She was 5 when she started blinking so much she would walk into things...like a huge kiosk in the mall! Our visit to the eye doc also came up empty and we just assumed she had dry eyes. Since we were clueless we spent the following months explaining that "I can't help it" wasn't a valid reason for obsessively sniffling instead of using a tissue, kicking the back of my seat and pulling at the crotch of her pants in public. Finally it hit me....what if she's telling the truth? Finally I found my way, thanks to the internet.

First, let me say that since this is a new thing there IS a possibility it may be temporary and will go away on it's own, I hope this to be true for you and your son. But if not, for it to be Tourettes he will need to have multiple motor tics and at least one vocal tic (though they may vary in kind) for at least a year before it can be diagnosed as "Tourettes".

I also had a hard time getting my family doc to pay any attention to my concerns and I was told the same as you were. Of course, not addressing the situation wasn't even an option for us as my daughter was already very aware of her issues and wanted to talk about them. I just decided it was my job as a mom to stay on it.... I did my homework and made sure I knew what I was talking about.

My suggestion to you is to document his tics on a daily basis starting right now. Nothing too detailed, just the date and what tics you noticed over the course of that day. If the tics go away, no big loss. If the tics continue it will be a very valuable tool for convincing your doctor that you have a valid concern. It was also a great help to me because when I finally found my way to an experienced doctor, at least a year later, I didn't even need to wait to have a diagnosis as it was all right there for him. I also didn't need to guess when answering his questions about types of tics and duration which made me feel sure that the diagnosis was correct and that I wasn't just over worrying.

Hopefully this helps a bit. I need to get to bed but if you have any questions I can help you with please ask.

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

My bf's son had tics that were a sign of lead poisoning. They have no idea where he was exposed, new house, etc., but they went away after treatment.

 

[melafive]

My son had some pretty severe tics that began right around the age six. He would tic so bad that his neck actually hurt. He would mostly do this head shrug thing but had other facial and vocal tics as well. He is ten now and his tics are not nearly as frequent honestly I rarely see him tic except for a couple times a year which I contribute to spring and fall allergies.

My son's tics were so severe and I felt the same way you do. I was worried that others would make fun of him as well. I researched his condition on the internet constantly. To the point where my husband thought I was going crazy. I found this website that was great help: http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showforum=1 There was no way that we would go the medicine route and this site has more natural ways to help with the problem. For my son we found that corn syrup really triggered the tics. Since you said that the tics started after Halloween this makes me think corn syrup could be a problem for your child too. Eventually, eliminating corn syrup lead to eliminating all corn. We had our son tested for allergies and he was officially allergic to corn. We still watch the corn intake but my son is okay with some. In case your not aware corn in some way or form is in most foods.

Whatever the cause I hope you find the answers you're looking for.

 

[auralia]

my husband had them when he was a child he used to make a quiet grunting noise and twitch one of his hands and his face... it all went away by the time he turned 10 or so. He is pretty excentric and was definatly ADHD as a child (they didn't diagnose it back then) and has some querky learning problems... he does much better reading himself, and such, does very good with languages and numbers and science but literature interpretation and such he doesn't like at all.. he can do it it just agrivates him, he is very smart and speaks 3 languages.

 

[WantToGoNow]

My cousin's son started in the fall shrugging his shoulders constantly. Then he stopped the shrugging and started pulling on the shoulder of his shirt (always the same shoulder). He was already seeing a Psycologist and they evaluated him again - she was told that he has OCD. My dh has OCD (his didn't start until he was an older teen) and his "routines" change constantly - from wiping his arms, to touching his shoes, to sticking that same dirty finger that touched his shoe to his tongue (yuck), splashing water everywhere and on and on. Since your ds doesn't have the vocal sounds associated with Tourette's, you might want to look into OCD.