Because someone on another message board having tics and so i went to the tourette website and 2 of the things he does is on there he sometimes blinks big like really closing his eyes and then opens them wide and then he does the shoulder shrugging...I'm not sure but it sounds like that's what it is it also says intrusive thoughts or worries could be a tic?and repetitive behaviors... I don't know i think i will ask if there is any way anyone could refer me to a doctor that can tell me if he has this or not i know there isn't anything they can do but just knowing for sure would help me out..

By Feona on Thursday, October 13, 2005 - 07:45 am:

I just read that some meds can cause tics so I would definitley take him to the doctor.


How are his eyes? Sounds like his eyes are tired? Maybe he needs glasses? Just a thought....

I would call the regular peds doctor and tell him the exact nature of what you noticed and see if he needs a referral.
I left my son with my mom for one day and he developed a tick. She kept pointing out that he was blinking so he started blinking for attention.

I actually took him to the doctor for this and the doctor said to ignore and it will go away. But it was a one or two day thing.

By Kaye on Thursday, October 13, 2005 - 08:30 am:

I think it is LauraM's son that has tourette's, I am sure she can point you in the right direction. My cousin's son has it. He is defintely different. He is also very adhd though, so I am not sure how much is which one. Probably the funnest story that I have about him, he was about age 10 during turkey day and really having a hard time, he had a sniffing tic, a barking tic, and a handful of facial, shoulder ones. He had been dxed for 4 -5 years, so they were aware and doing what they could. Well my brother who is clueless was there that year, he called my dad and said "ya know I think there is something really wrong with him" in that oh so concerned voice..LOL, ya think the barking gave that away?? Men are clueless.

Anyway, I digress, good luck and keep us posted. I think an important thing to remember is we may all have some dx's, some habits, but even a little OCD isn't a big deal unless it starts interferring with daily life.

By Marcia on Thursday, October 13, 2005 - 03:28 pm:

My friend's son was 7 when we realized he had Tourettes, and that's the normal age for diagnosis. Although he had always had some quirky habits, at 7 he started to have obvious ticks - barking, jumping, etc. They were much worse when we pointed them out, when he was stressed, etc. He was diagnosed by a neurologist, after being referred by the gp. He was on meds until he was around 20, when he took himself off. His tics are now rare and unnoticeable to most people. I doubt that that's a common occurance with people with TS, but just letting you know that if he does have it, it might not be as bad as many things you'll read/hear about.

By Ginny~moderator on Thursday, October 13, 2005 - 06:10 pm:

One of my former co-workers - her oldest son as Tourettes. I think the diagnosis was done by a pediatric neurologist at Childrens Hospital here in Phila, and I am sure there are other very good pediatric neurologists in your general area. I know he takes meds, and most of the time his tics are controlled. I agree, I would start first with the pediatrician and tell him what you have observed. Try to keep a diary in which you note times, possible contributing factors (stress, TV, overtired, etc.) and what the tic looks like. I know his tics are nowhere near as serious as those Kaye describes, and I suspect that most people with Tourettes don't have such noticeable tics. I know there is at least one really well-known major league baseball player who is quite open that he has Tourettes. My co-worker's son is a very bright kid (almost too bright, if you know what I mean), and has also had serious problems with ear infections requiring tubes, and serious sinus infections, so it is hard sometimes to know just what the problem is for him.

By Cat on Sunday, October 16, 2005 - 06:55 pm:

Do they bother him or you? I ask because I know several people, including my oldest brother, that have what would be considered tics, but they don't interfere with their normal daily life. I know sometimes it's hard to sit there and not say, "Will you stop blinking!" (that's what my brother did/does) If you want to have him checked out get your ped to refer you to a pediatric neuroligist. They are who would do the dx. Like someone else said, meds can cause tics, too. Especially ADD/ADHD meds (stimulants). It probably wouldn't hurt to have him checked, if for nothing else but your peace of mind. Good luck, Brandy and {{{{{hugs}}}}}.

By Brandy on Saturday, October 22, 2005 - 01:14 am:

Thanks Cat and Everyone i am not that concerned about them i don't notice him doing anything anymore except for holding his heart and making sure it's beating? I don't know if that's a tic or not though...

By Lauram on Saturday, November 5, 2005 - 08:51 pm:

I haven't been around lately, but my son does have Tourette's (and ADHD and OCD, which tend to have a high-rat eof comorbidity). It sounds to me from what you have described that there are only motor tics (you have to have motor and vocal for it to be Tourette). Does he sniff, clear his throat, make any sounds?) I have lots of resources if you need me to point you in that direction.