My 6-Year Old Showing Signs of Tourettes.

My daughter was diagnosed with Tourette's/Acute Tic Disorder this past spring (almost 8 y.o.). Looking back, she has been showing signs since she was about 5, snuffling, clearing her throat, blinking, anxiety, mild OCD, etc. We saw a ped. neurologist who did an EEG, told us she had no brain abnormalities and said we could come back in a year. (I could not have been less impressed).

We are now seeing a holistic MD who is testing for nutrient deficiencies, heavy metals, etc. I have looked into the medications available and do not want her to take any of them - in addition to being ineffective, the side effects are often far worse than the tics.

I know for sure that there are some foods that trigger her tics and behavior problems. Milk is one of the biggest. Often when she would eat something like yogurt or cheese with lunch, she would literally fall out of her chair laughing (inappropriately) half way through her meal. Her behavior for the rest of the day would be awful. Food dyes and sugary treats also increase the intensity of the tics.

At this point she still has tics, but they are mild and not bothersome to her or us. She has a wonderful teacher who is aware of the problem. She is on a gluten free diet (she also has celiac disease) and also dairy free. Additionally we try to minimize/eliminate preservatives, dyes and artificial anything in her diet. I do as much reading and research as possible to natural treatments for her. Send me a message if you would like more information.

Sticking out her tounge and spitting is probably considered a motor tic, as is the nose wipe issue. There are support groups, but first, you need to go see a Neurologist or a Developmental Pediatrician. I you choose a neurologist, please get her a full neuropsycholigical evaluation too, often, there are educational issues that you will need hard data about and these will get lost in the schuffle, with teachers assuming that she chooses misbehavior instead of understanding that sometimes it is out of her control. She may also qualify for serivices at school.

M.

I was a teacher for quite a while, and had a child with Tourettes in my class - and I really couldn't even notice! He was on a medication that controlled it well - I want to say it was an AntiAnxiety med like Xanax or something - that was out of my teaching right to know info - but I remember the Mom mentioning to me what the med was.
Just start with you regular pediatrician. I imagine the specialist you would want to see next is a neurologist.
Best of luck.

In addition to the other suggestions you may want to research/inquire about PANDAS .

my best friend that i've known since 5th grade has tourette's along with a studdering problem and has been on medicine his whole life. Ticks can be anything from her wanting to tangle her finger's up to hitting herself on her head, and can get worse or better with time. i would strongly advise you get her into a dr for proper diagnosis, and medication.

I'm sure you can find a support group and maybe something for her too to help her socially

Mom, Have you pointed these symptoms out to your Pediatrician, please do so asap if you haven't. I'm sure they can refer you to a good pediatric neurologist who I imagine can examine and help her and you. Hope this helps. Good luck

I agree with the advice (pretty great advice).. I would like to add: keeping a journal to document the behavior/frequency and possible triggers will come in handy at the doctors. Having been a teacher I would also suggest consulting with her teacher for their feelings on her classroom behavior, you might want them to document their observations as well. Another school resource is the school psychologist they are often called in to discreetly observe the child's behavior (this is free).. Well good luck, early detection is important in helping her.