7 Year Old Son with "Ticks"

Double check his vision. My son seems to "squirm" mostly when he was focusing on objects close-up but his squirmy behaviors seemed to always be present. We just learned that he is very farsighted and so this behavior is a result of him being very irritated and not realizing it. There is a huge difference between his two eyes and what he can see and it turns out that this difference is what is causing his behaviors. Either way, I would have his vision checked out.

Hope this helps.
N.

C.,

Not to alarm you, but have you checked with your pediatrician or a neurologist? Your son's age is about the age that Tourette's Syndrome symptoms begin showing up, and it is more prevalent in boys than girls. My husband has Tourette's, and this was about the age that his "tics" started showing up. Unfortunately, in my husband's case, it took years for his parents to receive the correct diagnosis, and they went through a LOT, including a psychotherapist who told his dad that it was anger toward him causing the tics, as well as elimination diets for allergies. I'd check it out, just in case. It might save you some time and energy. I believe that the Tourette Syndrome Association is on the web: http://tsa-usa.org/ Good luck!

My son also had ticks very similar to yours. Each one would last for months. They started about the age of 6. I did talk to his Dr and we did decide to get him checked out by a neurolgist. So far no problems. I was worried about Tourettes also. She said the ticks need to last for a long period and he can have no control over them. The more I harped on him stopping, the more they continued. I would just talk to his teachers and notify them that I am aware and he is not trying to be bothering. They were small ticks, but annoying. When I ignored them they lasted for a shorter time period. He had an eye rolling one so I did check him out at the eye doctor and no problems there. Now by ten he hardly has any more. Definately keep the Dr in the loop. Could be serious or could be a wait and see thing that he might outgrow.

Hi C.! Would you mind sharing your experience with your son? What happened to his tics and if the dairy free diet worked for you? I am also with a son who has tics and wanting to see how I can help him. Would MUCH appreciate it if you would reply!! Thank you!!!!

Hi, C.! My children have not had ticks, but I am allergic to dairy products and have eye twitches and things from it. Our society enforces that we must have dairy to get mainly the proper amount of calcium for healthy bones. My chiropractor actually told me that dairy products truly are not good for anybody because pasteurization completely changes the molecular structure of the product. Almond milk, green leafy veggies, and nuts are better sources for calcium. My children are not allergic, but only get dairy products very minimally and are big for their ages.
Also, a lot of kids could have symptoms like your son from allergies to cleaning products. Natural and biodegradeable cleaning products might help, too. If you want more info, let me know. Good Luck! -- C.

C.,
I would not resort to self-diagnosis and just see a child neurologist. We were concerned about Tourette Syndrome with our 4 year old daughter. It turned out to be a movement disorder--but not Tourettes. Her movement disorder will go away with time, but what you are describing sounds a little more serious (7 months is a long time). I don't want to alarm you, but meeting with a neurologist would be my next step.

Any of the child neurologists on staff at Children's Memorial were recommended to me by my pediatrician.