Tourette Syndrome & Tic Disorders Support Group

This community is dedicated to those afflicted with a tic disorder. A tic disorder is one in which uncontrollable muscle spasms that can range from small annoyances to major disruptive occurrences. .

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Son going to college

deleted_user
deleted_user
My son is so confused about where to go to college. He wants his tourette's to go away so that he can live a normal life and go away to school. Right now it's unimaginable that he could have roomates while having the tics that he has. If he tried for his own room, he says he would feel too different from everyone. I'm encouraging the local community college, but he gets mad at the suggestion, because to him it means he can't live a normal life and go away if he wants to. He's asking me when his tics will go away. It's like he's been waiting for the past 8 years for them to go away so he can live a normal life. I tell him we don't know if they ever will, so he needs to live his life the best he can for himself. He's struggling right now, and I'm not sure how to help him.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I know how you feel my son is only 10 and was only diagnosed in feb and asks me that everyday when will it stop it breaks my heart,but our doctor put him on respidone and the tics have calmed down loads
Marie
Juice
Juice
Not to make you feel sad, but your post made me cry a bit! My son Dan is 14, diagnosed age 6, and has recently realised he won't be able to join the army. Picture a kid with tourette's hiding out: "HERE!" Hide and seek was always a challenge for him.
You're doing all you can to help him, encouraging him to be realistic without crushing his hopes and dreams, but however much of a Supermum you are, you can't take his burden for him, and you can't stop feeling his pain.
You're doing a great job, and the fact that he's contemplating college at all is a triumph.
Good luck to you, I'm thinking of you.
deleted_user
deleted_user
It can be a great experience for him or it can be hell. I don't think you should lie to him about it. If he gets in with a mature group of kids who don't look at just the outside, he'll be fine...which doesn't mean he won't experience teasing and bullying. Even at that level, some of them still belong in diapers if you know what I mean. And if he gets to a college and has a bad experience, then switch colleges! Life doesn't have to be so cut and dry. He doesn't have to stay where he is if it isn't working. Give him the option of picking up and moving on if that works for him. Good luck.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Speaking as someone who did go away to college, I recommend taking the roommate. My roommate decided to transfer after I moved in, so I wound up with a double-single. (Humor in a bad situation.)
I'd recommend going for a solo room first, then, after a year, looking for a roomie. Going blind might not be the best idea. Then again, I preferred living in my own room.
Do not suggest he live his life down. He needs to live his life up. I started living my life down, and I regret it. Only now in my mid-twenties am I trying to get back up. It's a disorder, but it will only hold you back if you let it and if you let others let it.
Be tenacious.
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