My 10Yr Old Makes Weird Noises

Hi Norma:
My son used to do the same types of things (the noises were really irritating!) so I took him to the pediatrician. She said they are nervous ticks (did I spell that right? Not the insect type of ticks!). Then I really started paying attention to when he was doing these things. It made a lot of sense. He usually did it when he was a little stressed out at school, had to go somewhere, knew Momma was not happy, or over tired. I know it seems like it will never end, but, it DOES! Good luck.

I wish I could help. I have a 10 year old that is doing the same thing. From what I have read it's a developmental stage and we just have to live thru it!!

My 13 yr old brother does that, too. He's the youngest out of all of us, and he will be watching tv or playing video games and make all these crazy noises and weird faces. My sister and I tell him to stop all the time and, he will say "I'm not doing anything!" or something like that but laugh like crazy after he says it. So if he's anything like my brother, he might just be doing it for some attention and to bug you. Good luck!

I used to do similar things when I was younger - making weird faces at regular intervals, and making weird noises out of my throat. It bugged my parents, too. In my case, I think it was a nervous habit. I wasn't a terribly high-strung kid, but I think I felt I HAD to do it - almost OCD-ish. Maybe your child is worried about something that he feels he can't talk to you about. Does he do anything else behaviorally - like patterns to leaving a room or washing his hands (another OCD pattern). I don't have OCD, but sometimes I feel like if I don't follow an EXACT pattern to something, that something will happen. I still feel I'm relatively 'normal'. :) More creature of habit things, probably. Maybe your pedi can recommend something, or possibly a counselor in case there are issues he needs to talk about.

I would think of getting him checked neurologically. It would be better to rule out problems now than to wait and see. Our son was 12 when he started doing similar things. They escalated when his hormones started kicking in that year. We were told that he had something call Tourette's Syndrome. Now, don't panic if you get that kind of diagnosis. All it means is that he has tics. MD's use it as a catch-all diagnosis. We have been using a fantastic Speech Pathologist that works with every thing from speech issues, ADHD, all the way to autism. He now rarely has a tic and only when extremely tired and/or stressed.

I am not trying to scare you or diagnose him but the things that he is doing seems to be characteristic of autism. I would at least take him to a doc to have it checked out-if nothing else for your own peace of mind. JMO

Dear Norma:

My son's behaviour is similiar. If these actions have lasted less than one year, they appear to be tics, which generally begin at around your sons age. Tics usually occur when a child is relaxed, and occur more often with boys than girls. Most go away within a year.

If they do not, your son may be daignosed with Tourette's syndrome. If so, do not let the diagnosis scare you. Most of the time, they will become less noticable at puberty. They may continue in a more subtle manner throughout his life. If the tics become a problem, there are medicine's that may help control the tics. Surprisingly, focusing on the tics will only make them more pronounced. Try to ignore them. My eldest son was developing severe problems. Miraculously, when we explained them and stopped focusing on them (we talked to his teachers too, who were focused on getting him to stop spitting outside)the tics went away.

It turns out that my husband had the same problem and he is now a successfull attorney, so just focus on loving that boy and take him to a doctor if it is causing him a lot of anxiety- the tics can become painful, embarrassing, or insightly (for a short time my eldest pulled out his hair) Things may get worse for a while, but I can assure you that in time, they will get better.

Similiar to Rebecca F in one of the previous posts, I also did things like this when I was young (about 9 or 10 years old, maybe a little younger). I did the winking thing and made a small high-pitched noise in my throat. Basically it was a bad habit that I got into, and then continued because I have a personality that becomes easily addicted or quickly falls into patterns. I felt a strong compulsion to repeat whatever it was I was doing. It was very like something that people who are OCD might do, but I was never diagnosed as an OCD child or adult.

I eventually grew out of it (partly because my father would bop me on the head whenever I would do it - NOT something I am recommending.) I was schoolage at the time, and when my friends started noticing my behavior, the compulsion became less "soothing" and more "irritating", and I had less of a desire to continue. I naturally developed more socially appropriate replacement activities because I became more aware of what I was doing.

That said, there is always the possibility that this behavior is a sign of something more significant than a bad habit. I know there is a LOT of literature out there about the early signs of OCD or even autism.

A lot of kids this age will have one or more "simple tics"--often they aren't aware they are doing it. If a child has a lot of different tics or more complicated tics, that's Tourette's. Sometimes being on medicines for ADHD will unmask a tic, or make it worse.
Try to ignore it for now, but mention it to his pediatrician at his next visit. If he's on Ritalin or Adderall, call today.

Hmmm - could be OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) which is easily treatable with meds usually given for depression or anxiety.
http://www.ocfoundation.org/ocd-in-children.html

Tourette's syndrome might be a possibility too since they say sometimes the two occur together. http://www.tourettesyndrome.net/tourette.htm

iT SOUNDS LIKE A MEDICINE THAT IS CAUSEING THE PROBLEM THE CAUSE SIDE AFFECTS LIKE THAT SOME TIMES, A FEW YEARS AGO I TOOK SOMETHING THAT MADE ME DO THE SAME THINGS I ALSO THING YOU SHOULD TAKE HIM IN TO GET CHECKED OUT, IT MAY BE SOMETHINGOR NOTHING..

I also have a 10yr old that started doing things like that a year ago. He would make little throat clearing noises and bug his eyes out while pulling his mouth and nose downward. Our doctor also said it was his allergies and when we put him on his daily allergy meds, it did seem to help. He also had to keep a water bottle with him to keep the drainage clear from his throat.
He also has ADHD and that could have contributed to some of the impulsive actions. Not saying your son has that - just letting you know our story.
Our son still does some silly noises impulsively but it's not near as bad as before. I chalk the rest of it up to being 10! :)

I wonder if he might have a mild case of Terret's syndrome? Ask your pediatrician what they think it might be! S.

I would suggest you take him to a pediatric neurologist. He may have Tourette's or even Epilepsy. I have a 5 year old with Epilepsy. At any rate, he probably cannot control it so try not to get frustrated with him. He does need to be tested though.

Get him checked out. It's better to have him checked out and it be nothing, than wait and see and it be something serious.

ADHD meds do cause these kind of side-effects, so if he is on any type of medicine for that...it may be time to switch meds. I'm not big on meds for ADHD, but I know with some children it's an absolute must. So if that's the case (if he has that at all) then switching meds would help and talk to your doctor.

Either way, get it checked out, if only for your peace of mind.

You should talk with his pediatrician and describe the specific sounds and facial gestures you've observed. It will also be helpful if you can tell the doctor if they happen at specific times--for example, if he's tired, sleepy, etc.

Your doctor will probably want to rule out neurological issues like Tourette's syndrome. If your son has an issue like this, your doctor will probably want to evaluate putting your son on medications or recommending some kind of behavioral therapy for him.

What a good Mom you are to not just overlook something that has troubled you! Good luck

I am a pediatric registered nurse. I would take him to the pediatrician to get an answer. It might just be normal for his age. The doctor is the one who should diagnose this.

Boys will be boys. I don't think this is anything to bother over, really. My 9 year old and almost all his friends make weird noises, sometimes not even on purpose. They do the weirdest things with their eyes, noses, armpits and other area's I don't even care to think about! Seriously, it is normal.

Sounds like he is experiencing 'tics'. These can be a sign of Tourett's Syndrome. Ask your doctor. If there is a tendency toward Tourett's, then OCD or ADHD medications an also bring the symptoms on in full force as well. Again, ask your doctor. Good Luck!

It sounds like a neurologic, maybe even stress related, issue to me. I agree that they sound like tics and may be symptoms of something underlying.

I would go to his doctor and don't be "shooed" away by being called a worrisom Mom either.

Those can be signs of neurologic disorders, Turette's, etc. but they are manageable too.

Norma,
Have you spoken to your pediatrician about this?
I would suggest taking him to a pediatric neurologist.
It can be a number of different things that can be going on with him.
H.

Hi there - this sounds exactly like my cousin, who was 12 when he started exhibiting signs of mild Tourette's syndrome. It's nothing to freak out about, but I would definitely start with your pedi and go from there. My cousin is now 23 and graduating from college, and has outgrown most of the little quirks or tics that he had through junior high and high school. Hope this helps!

Hi, Norma,

It may be very beneficial to discuss your son's noises and movements with a doctor. It may be just habit, or it could be what is called "nervous tic," or possibly even Tourette's Syndrome, which is on the spectrum of tic disorders. It could be something that he will outgrow, with time, or something he may need help with. Sometimes stress can bring on these things, and any attempt at behavior modification, without finding the cause, may make things worse, not better.

I hope there is an easy solution. Waiting it out and seeing it disappear is what I am hoping for you and your son.

G. M

Have you considered that your child might have Tou-rette's
syndrome ?

My son did the exact same things for several years. I asked the doctor about it, and he said that it is perfectly normal...just nervous habits that children have sometime. He said he would stop doing it in his time, and he did. He is 24 now and perfectly normal and has a fabulous job. Don't worry!! Good luck.

M. in Wichita Falls
www.mycmsite.com/marycluley

I would have him checked for Touretts or it could be an OCD thing...Touretts from what I understand often begins showing up at that age and is often in children who have had very bad cases of strep throat. It is thought to affect the center part of the brain that is directly above where the strep would occur. I saw that on discovery health show...

aJ

That sounds so much like my brother Alan. He would make weird noises of all kinds in front of the TV and fidgit and wiggle and oh those sounds! Us other kids just laughed. After awhile he got really good at the noises and started doing horns. They sounded authentic. He could sound like a trumpet or flugel horn. One of my friends talking to me on the phone asked me if I had a Chuck Mangione tape on, I said no, that is Alan (and not his horn, his mouth). My bother was a little ADHD and a bit weird at times but he is a great guy today. He is a top paid electrical engineer, also plays violin for the local amateur orchestra, and helps his wife home school the kids with math and science. Your son will probably turn out great. In the mean time, prescription eye drops like Patanol and Optivar are great prescription drops for allergic itchy eyes.

I don't want to unneccarily worry you, but you may want to have his doctor check him out. My brother did the same thing at around the same age and he was diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome. It's usually treatable and ebbs and flows through his lifetime. Or it may just be a bad habit and the more reference to it you make the worse it could get. It could be nervous habit that he has to outgrow.

He will out grow it...or at least learn to be aware when he is around others, not to do it. I have always done stuff like this, except for the noises. My sons who is 6 goes through phases of making different noises...drives me up the wall!... I think the best thing to do is ignore it. I tend tell my son that he is doing it again, but it does no good. I think it may be an OCD thing; everyone has a certain degree of different tendencies, not necessarliy enough to affect their daily lives or well being or in order to be diagnosed with this in a clinical setting. I feel what you are saying though!

It could be an issue like Rebecca said, or it could just be his personality. My husband was like that as a child, and still is today. He entertains himself by making wierd noises. The kids love it, but I think it's a litttle weird. But, there is nothing wrong with him.

I could be a repetitive behavior like a tic. I would get it checked with a Dr. to see what they recommend.

We had a foster child that did something like that with his hands and face. However, he was experiencing a lot of stress and anxiety. This may be part of why your child does something like that is that there may be more going on that you don't know (school or elsewhere). It may be his way of handling his anxiety, stress or anger. He was on several types of medication for ADHD and other issues, that may have played a factor in the tics.

There is medicines, but I would try other things before medication and use that as a last resort type of thing. Play Therapy is great for kids with dealing with stress, anxiety. You could try playing with your child at home, whatever he likes to play games, cars, toys. Kids usually don't talk and tell you why they are upset, angry. They show it in their play. You can learn a lot by watching them play.

You can also look for more info at the library or internet for tics (repetitive gestures,etc). We use babycenter.com and parentcenter.com we have a 2 year old, they may have something on it.

Has it caused any problems at school? You could also talk with a counselor at school, they may be able to help him some at school. You could also talk with the teachers and find out what else is going on that your child isn't telling you, and that may help you too.

Hope this helps, good luck, C.

My brother in law is 29 years old and makes noises, gasps for air, and twitches at randomn times too. He went to see a doctor and found out that it was high anxiety. They prescribed him medication and when he took it, it helped. But now he has quit taking the medication and his anxiety has gotten worse. This could be what it is, but I am not sure. Is there something tragic that has happened in the past year? Has a death occurred? Trouble at school? Any new foods you have brought that he could be allergic too? Allergies or anxiety would be my guess. Take him to a general doctor and ask about this.

Well, my mom went threw the same thing with my brother at a very young age. He is now 14yrs and still does it. She took him to the doctor and of corse they said he has adhd. Well i dont live at home anymore but when we visit them he still does it. But when he is on his meds he dont. Go figer. Im not a big fan of the adhd thing but i do have a son who is going to be 3 in a few months so we will see. I dont now if this will help you or not but good luck. =)

My 10 y/o does the same things and I don't think much of it. Watching his friends they do the same types of things. I wouldn't worry too much. Mabey point it out to him when he does it. My son half the time doesn't even realize he's making noises.

Norma,
Does he do this any other time besides when he watches tv? My son is austic and it sounds a little like what he does. I am not trying to say that your son is austic or anthying like that, but i understand the annoying noise thing and the "ticks" that your explaineing. If you want my email address it is ____@____.com I would be happy to discuss this more in detail with you.

another thing we have in comon is that i also work in a dental office. I am a registered dental assistant.

anyway, feel free to email me if you like. my son is now 9 years old.

have you taken him to the pedi? it could be a variety of things, OCD, Tourettes, nervous ticks. you should probably get him checked out. good luck

hi! my 9 yr old sister does it to. she will sit there and just say oh, ugh, and all sorts of weird stuff. but i have been looking online for a while and i believe it is some type, or begging stages of autism. it may just be a stress situation, but idk.

HI, i am a mother of 3 boys and the oldest one, now 17, was diagnosed with tourettes syndrome the summer before the 3rd grade. He began making noises,like clearing his throat, or humming sounds, and would breathe through his mouth alot.(this was end of 1st grade) I remember telling him to close his mouth and breath through his nose because it was so loud and bothersome to everyone, except him. He rarely seemed to realize he was making the noises. then in 2nd grade he began to blink his eyes and later roll them every few minutes. he got his eyes check, they said that was why he was blinking,so he got glasses, but it never helped. by that summer, the unvoluntary movements and noises, referred to as "ticks" exploded and changed from week to week. it was like he had to do something, and as he would become aware of one movement or noise and try to stop doing it, something else would begin. we went to the dr for some other reason, and by that time he realized something was wrong and made sure i was going to ask the dr,what was wrong with my head, why can't i get it to stop? well, we began our journey of dealing with tourettes. we found a pediatric neorolgist, the first at garland baylor was horrible, then through a friend who worked at children's she recommended Dr. Linder@ Medical city,dallas. he is one of several pedi-neuro's there, who i highly recommend. they have been wonderful to my son and helped him learn to deal with this struggle he has no control of. He was in a drug study and was one of the first to try straterra, and it has been amazing! It has help to deminish almost all of his ticks. he still will sometimes blink and roll his eyes, but nothing like when he was in 3 and 4th grade. I learned that the movements feel satisfying, which might be why your son says he wants to, or he might be embarresed or scared to admit that his body is making these sounds and he can't stop it,so he's just saying he wants to. the best way i've heard ticks discribed is like a bad mesquitoe bite. it itches sooooo bad, and you've been told not to scratch it, and you hold back as long as possible, but finally you just have to, and it feels so good, but then a few minutes later the itch is back.. well that's just a small comparison to the urge they feel to do....??? clear their throat, blink the eyes, shrug their shoulder, stretch their neck, make a noise, nod/shake their head,and so on... someone without tourettes, they have a feeling they need to clear their throat,blink or lick their lips, they do, the brain gets the signal that the need has been met, its staisfied, so they're done with that movement. but someone with tourettes, they have the feeling,urge, their body involuntarily tries to satisfy the need, but the signal that it has been met never reaches the brain, so the body never feels like the urge has been taken care of.so they make the movement/noise over and over.Does that make sense? Now, i have learned that it is very normal for children(esp. boys) to have some ticks its just kind of a way their bodies deal with stress sometimes and that does not mean they have tourettes, but if that's the case, they will subside on their own eventually. but if this continues or gets worse, or he has more of a variety of ticks, it would be a good idea to go to a pedi- neurologist. they can try some medications, and it is something you must get educated on so you can help him deal with it without making him feel he's doing something wrong, or a freak. until you decide your next step, i would do your best to ignore the sounds and movements. the more self conscious, the more stressed they get, and stress just makes they ticks get worse and more obvious. I've had to go back and apologize for my ignorance in how i dealt with him before we knew what we were dealing with. i wasn't the most patient mom:( I'd talk with his teacher to see if she notices anything in class. his teachers were very helpful in letting him get up for drinks so he could walk down the hall and get as many of the ticks out without having to worry about the other kids seeing, or they would let him keep a bag of hard candy to suck on to help him not make so many noises. there are many things we can do to help them get through their day.infact his 3&4th grade year, when they were at their worst, the school nurse and him gave a presentation to the class and watched a video that helps them understand tourettes. each year the kids had lots of questions and he would help the teacher answer them. they wondered if they could catch it, or if he was going to die.That seemed to keep them from ever making fun of him, they were like, thats just what jordan does and now we know why. Now, he's doing fine, most people would never know, infact he has not wanted to even talk about it for several years, except when we go for checkups with his neuro.So, all that to say, if you ever want to talk or have any questions, please email me. it's not always easy to find someone to relate with!but we're out there! hang in there and be patient! K. ____@____.com