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. .
for controlling tics?
My 8 yo son has TS, SPD, and ADHD. His tics have been mostly mild until now. I guess they are still relatively mild, compared other I have seen, and I thank God every day for that.
Recently though, they have become more frequent and intense. Before they weren't even very noticeable if you didn't know about it. Now he's clapping, ( not just his hands, but on any part of his body too. Both hands always, and two at a time. So, clap clap.) tapping, jumping, a lot of vocal, yelling, grunting (long and drawn out, not short and abrupt) and random words. He shakes his head a lot and I'm worried he's going bang it into something or run into something, but the tapping is what I'm really worried about. He taps with his fingernails. Into his skin. Cutting it open. I have been keeping his nails short, but it isn't helping. He's still cutting his skin open. He also says he hates having his nails short because it makes his fingers hurt. So now I'm thinking those $1.00 gloves from wally world. But knowing my son, he won't keep them on long.
At this point we don't medicate at all. Does anyone have any suggestions?
My 8 yo son has TS, SPD, and ADHD. His tics have been mostly mild until now. I guess they are still relatively mild, compared other I have seen, and I thank God every day for that.
Recently though, they have become more frequent and intense. Before they weren't even very noticeable if you didn't know about it. Now he's clapping, ( not just his hands, but on any part of his body too. Both hands always, and two at a time. So, clap clap.) tapping, jumping, a lot of vocal, yelling, grunting (long and drawn out, not short and abrupt) and random words. He shakes his head a lot and I'm worried he's going bang it into something or run into something, but the tapping is what I'm really worried about. He taps with his fingernails. Into his skin. Cutting it open. I have been keeping his nails short, but it isn't helping. He's still cutting his skin open. He also says he hates having his nails short because it makes his fingers hurt. So now I'm thinking those $1.00 gloves from wally world. But knowing my son, he won't keep them on long.
At this point we don't medicate at all. Does anyone have any suggestions?
I found the best thing that works for my son in terms of the tics that he has with his hands and picking his face and feet is that I got him a wide variety of stress balls to keep his hands busy. This helps a lot but of course, he will need to be reminded at times to use them...
When my son screetches or yells, all I can really do is act like it is not there, ignore it, or just simply tell him to breath every now and then. There really is not much you can do about that, sadly... Just hug him lots, let him know you love him and ignoring the loud tics actually show more love than doing something about them. This shows him that no matter what he does, you love him and your relationship changes none because of his tics...
Best of luck...
The clapping and tapping is with both hands. The hopping is usually both feet, occasionally one. I haven't noticed if it was a particular foot. He has a lot of hand tics, which is why his one on one at school does most of his writing for him. He used to chew on his clothes a lot. We tried chewigems, but he needs cloth, not silicone. That has changed into snapping his teeth together, which hurts. I took him to get his hair cut yesterday and now he says his head shaking tic is worse because of it and now it hurts his neck. :( This is what I have been dreading. His tics are becoming painful and I just feel so helpless. I wish I could help him and even though I KNOW I'm not, I FEEL like I'm failing him as a mother because I can't help him.
His tap tap tic manifests in the form of clapping or tapping on himself or objects nearby.
I also think he has coprolallia as well. He says random things like "moist" and "loser", but he also says sentences like, "poop in my butt" or "spit on you". I feel like the older he gets and more exposed he is to foul language, the worse that will get.
We are so lucky to have such an amazing education team and IEP. I hope middle school is as amazing.
Also, as he heads towards puberty, they may actually be getting a bit worse. Especially as a male child, as they are more likely to have TS. Hormones are like stress...any surge will affect tics. Try the gloves. Try New Skin on his fingertips..try a pillow or some cloth on the hard surface. If he will not wear the gloves, that is okay. He will decide what works for him. Also, avoid caffeine. ALL caffeine. No chocolate, caffeinated sodas, energy drinks, (though why anyone would give a child an energy drink I don't know, but...) even sports drinks, just to be safe...most are full of sugar anyway. This made a difference for me, and I never developed a later dependence on caffeine, either.
Just something else to keep in mind:
The more you freak out about something, the more he will, too. If you can (I know it is hard) act like it is nothing. Because his 'normal' will be different. And it is amazing what we can take in stride. Especially when we have no choice. It is not the end of the world...just a completely different one. My TS was pretty severe and my mom always told me that some people have diabetes, some have TS...everyone has something. At least TS is not life-threatening and I can still hear, see, walk and talk. Good luck! You will both get through this...you really will.
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