So to make a long story short my son has always been EXTREMELY active. I had him evaluated at age 4 in preschool per his teacher and my inclination for ADHD but the evaluators basically laughed at me and said he is not al all ADHD. With that said I still followed parenting guidance for hyperactive kids and he was doing well. His kindergarten teacher does not think he has ADHD but that he is active and testy. For a long time he had a habit of constantly blinking. I had his eyes checked multiple times and his vision is perfect. Now the blinking has stopped and he is onto constantly spitting ( hard to explain, not true spitting but making the noise with his mouth) and sticking out his tongue. At times it is mis-behavior when he is mad so I take away his favorite toy, etc and discipline him. BUT he also is doing it all the time. Almost has if he has a twitch or an impulse to have to do something. If he is not busy playing, reading, etc he does it all the time! I have tried over and over to get him to try something else with his mouth because sticking out the tongue drives me crazy and is not a polite thing to be walking around doing all the time at 6 years old. Any suggestions? I have read online it can be anxiety? Thank you!
I'd sign him up for drum lessons.
I know a few drummers who are twitchy - but they are GREAT DRUMMERS!
Concentrating on a rhythm is what they were born to do.
It does sound consistent with Tourette's. But I'm also struck by your continued efforts to define him. ADHD and vision problems - both times, he was fine. Sometimes the sound of hooves is just a horse - don't assume a zebra.
I agree with Doris Day, have him checked for Tourette's Syndrome.
Have you talked to the ped about Turette's? I do think that you should. Also about how you deal wiith this.
It could be Tourettes. It also sounds like there may be some sensory issues as well. Or, like you think, it could be anxiety. In any case, a discussion with his doctor with a possible referral to a specialist might be in order.
Who were the "evaluators" who laughed at you? When my son was 4, he was also really active and his pediatrician basically told me "oh, he's just a very active little boy, there's nothing out of the ordinary here!". My gut told me she was wrong, so I pushed for a referral to a specialist. Turns out my son has ADHD, Autism, and Tourettes (diagnosed after many years of testing and evaluations). He's 16 now and has been doing great for many years, but it did take a long time to figure out what the deal was when he was younger.
So go with your gut. If there's nothing wrong, GREAT! But if there IS an issue, the earlier you address it, the better.
Could be tics. Tourette's is more of a vocal issue than movements.you can have tics without it being Tourette's. My daughter takes tenex for her tics and it works well.
I agree with Doris Day, have him checked for Tourette's Syndrome.
I agree with Doris Day, have him checked for Tourette's Syndrome.
My son has Tourette's. Could be Tourette's. You have to have these tics for quite a while without any significant beaks to have it qualify to be Tourette's. There usually has to be a motor and a vocal tic, although, they don't have to be at the same time. ( Don't freak, very few people with it actually blurt out curse words). Could be another tic disorder, or it could just be a passing phase. I know that as a kid I had some tics. I guess I used to gulp LOUDLY, and constantly, guess I drove my teachers crazy! LOL! Don't do it anymore, or really have any other tics.
I am sensing some sensory issues here for sure. We were at speech therapy today, and our therapist said that doing things with the mouth are "organizing and calming" so it may be that he is trying to calm himself down. I would have him evaluated by an Occupational Therapist. If it is sensory, they will be able to help you help him. I am not sure about the Tourettes, but I think that a deeper look would be warranted. It sounds like he is not comfortable in his own body and needs help to get there.
I agree with Doris Day, have him checked for Tourette's Syndrome.
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I agree with Doris Day, have him checked for Tourette's Syndrome.
