Anyone have a child with "Tics"?

[beagle744]

My 10 yo DS has had tics. I too asked him if there was a reason and he really wasn't aware of them. We would just point out discreetly he was doing it and as he became aware, the cycle usually broke. He hasn't had a tic in a while now so hopefully he's beginning to outgrow it.

 

[Alex2kMommy]

But it upset me.... like I said, I barely notice it, but is this happening whenever he gets stressed out? Im worried for him now, and Im sad.

I hope it is an "outgrow" thing, but his has been going on longer than a year.

Its not the end of the world, I understand that - but I just dont want HIM to feel anything can hold him back from doing anything he wants...kwim?

I had pretty much the same reaction as you. At first I wasn't sure what I saw, then noticed it again and shrugged it off. Then when it came more frequently I got worried that it was a sign of something more serious going on and that I shouldn't have been ignoring it!

When I finally brought it to his attention, I was really pretty much freaked out at that point, and if he'd kept doing it, I would have taken him to the doctor. This was around Christmas, not that long ago. but it seems like once I mentioned it to him, and pointed it out WHILE he was doing it, it slowed down and then stopped altogether.

I'm glad you asked the question, and I'm glad so many others responded that this kind of thing comes and goes and usually means nothing. I was pretty worried there for awhile!

 

[nuke]

Funny you should ask this just now! My DS6 developed a tick in the late fall, sort of a quick grimace on his mouth, as if the corner of his mouth is being pulled down toward his neck and tightening his neck muscles. I didn't think anything of it the first few times I noticed it, but then it got more frequent. I asked DH about it, and then he started noticing it as well.

I finally asked DS6 why he was making that face, and he wasn't aware that he was doing it. Just as I was starting to think I needed to take him to the doctor, he was doing it less frequently, and now (several weeks later) I can't remember the last time he did it.

My son was doing the same thing last year when he first got glasses. We kind of ignored it or I would call his name when he was doing it and it finally stopped. I think he was trying to adjust to the glasses.

 

[H&Hmommy]

My Ds started with a cough tick several weeks ago. He then moved on to a blink tick. He is very hard on himself at school. It seemed lik Christmas Break was all he needed. As of right now he is tick free.
On the other hand my husband has always had a tick. His is just like the one Alex2kMommy was explaining. His starts at his mouth and runs down his neck. I feel so sorry for him. I know he would give anything to get it to stop.
Good luck to you and your son
Kim

 

[CathrynRose]

Thanks for all the replies.

Fact of the matter is - he's healthy. He's a healthy, happy, super-funny (he could be a comedian!) kid - and if this is the worst that happens to him, he's a lucky kid.

Thanks all, honestly.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

My 16yo has TS. Started have tics in first grade and was diagnosed in 3rd grade. I'd be happy to answer any and all questions. I don't have time now, but I'll try and find a thread that I've posted on before so I don't have to retype everything out.

While TS has been a very tough thing and nothing that I would WANT to happen, it's also a part of who Ben is. But only a part. He's so much more than the TS...and no, he doesn cuss. Only a small percentage of people with Tourettes do that. Or should I say that he doesn't any more than any other 16yo.

The hardest thing about my son having TS is the comments from other people. Breaks my heart like you couldn't imagine. Not so much in person, either, because once people meet him they might ask about the TS, but they quickly realize that there's a whole lot more to him. But I've read too many comments on the DIS that I've responded to, which really takes the air out of my sails.

Thankfully, Ben has a very outgoing personality and has many friends, so he doesn't have the isolation that some kids have. And I do remind myself that there are things a lot tougher that others deal with. Helps me put things in perspective even though I do feel sad sometimes for Ben.

 

[CathrynRose]

My 16yo has TS. Started have tics in first grade and was diagnosed in 3rd grade. I'd be happy to answer any and all questions. I don't have time now, but I'll try and find a thread that I've posted on before so I don't have to retype everything out.

.

If you could find them, I'd love to read them! Thanks!

 

[justaquestion]

Wow - thanks.



Youre right - I shouldnt have "reproduced" as you so kindly put it.

I have OCD, not as bad I was before. When I was younger, I would have to tap my foot 12 times, blink my eyes 3, and wiggle my arm until I got that feeling everything was "okay". And I had to do this countless times during the day.

Now I'm just bad with checking my alarm and locking the door. I also have to close my eyes and count to six the first time I leave the house in the morning.
No idea why!!!!

My parents did NOT have OCD.

 

[Am_I_There_Yet]

I used to do two things that I now think were tics. For what it's worth, I haven't done either in about 30-35 years. (I'm 40 now.)

I used to roll my eyes as hard as I could to the side and sort of roll them upwards at the same time. I remember it feeling good to stretch the eye muscles. I did the same thing with my left nostril.

Not at the same time, (I don't think I'm that coordinated!) but I do remember doing it enough to know it wasn't completely normal and feeling like I had to hide it from others.

After reading the replies, I think it's just something that kids do.

In some cases maybe it becomes uncontrollable, but it could just be a small part of growing up.

 

[CathrynRose]

My parents did NOT have OCD.

Neither did mine.

I heard 'mental illness' just like allergies, can manifest in any way, shape or form, down the line.

So maybe my mom was a whack-job and never diagnosed?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

If you could find them, I'd love to read them! Thanks!

Here's a couple.... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1193997

This one is an old one that was brought back... http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=875819

 

[Lanshark]

Just because he has Tics doesn't mean he has Tourettes. I would mention it to your pediatrician and see if he recommends testing. Is he on any type of medication? I've had kids in my class develop tics with medication changes and they went away when the meds were adjusted or changed.

It may be nothing but I'd have it checked out.

 

[gina2000]

Facial tics are very common in young boys. Having said that, if you tap your foot or do something constantly, that's also a tic. My understanding is that most kids outgrow tics. The biggest problem, of course, is other kids and cruelty. Hopefully your son will outgrow his tic before that becomes an issue.

My son had a facial tic which was triggered by allergy meds despite the fact that no research supports it. I had observed it on several occasions when the allergy med buildup in his system became an overload. Once we stopped giving him the meds, the tics stopped. His pediatrician totally supported my findings and I now only give him allergy meds when he absolutely needs them and never for days or weeks on end. My son only shows signs of ticking under extreme stress. I haven't seen more than a head nod in a few years now.

My understanding is that most doctors don't consider tics a problem unless they continue for a couple of years. Document as much as you can because it will support your need or lack of for further testing. Note how much, how often and whether or not he is taking any medication when it flares. Note times of the year (spring, fall) or occasions (near holidays and birthdays) when it is worse. Does testing at school bring it on? Try to link the ticking with specific times in your child's life. A pattern may emerge that will help you and your doctor determine the next course of action.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

In general to get diagnosed, a child would have a vocal and motor tic (more than one) that could come and go and would persist for at least a year. In other words, one tic would not be considered TS. Or a couple that last a few months wouldn't, either. It's the combination of vocal/motor that persist. Unless a person is going to try medication, it really doesn't hurt to wait it out a little while. My son's tics were worse in 1st grade, but in 2nd, he hardly had them. He had a very uptight first grade teacher and a relaxed, wonderful 2nd grade teacher. Stress made a lot of difference with him.

 

[CathrynRose]

Stress made a lot of difference with him.

I can tell Danny is also a stress-tic'er.

Even as a baby, he would become easily aggitated. Way more than his laid back older brother.

I appreciate alllll the responses on here, thank you so much.