Pilbara

My son started with just tics like that as well that would completely subside after a few weeks. Then I noticed it coincided with illness or allergy type symptoms. I also did research and noticed that he has OCD, it was manageable and not really affecting his life, but still there. OCD can take on many forms and is sometimes difficult to notice in children. We treat with antibiotics and most of his tics subside and his OCD is very manageable. By the time my son had his third major episode I had researched and done my homework. I knew which labs to request and was ready to battle with doctors. My sons third episode was the worst, started overnight about a week after an illness. He woke up one morning and could not stop nodding his head constantly. I immediately took him in and after labs it was determined he had pandas. Yes the pediatrician told me it was most likely transient tics, but that did not sit well and I knew there was more to it. I begged and pleaded for him to run the strep labs (bloodwork). The rapids came back negative. Four days later he called me back and confirmed pandas.
 
I am not saying this applies to your son at all but if you notice the wax and wane type of symptoms you should just take note to see if it coincides with any sort of illness.

Hi
it really is impossible to say for sure, but remember there are more potentially more causes for tics that just TS or transient tic disorders.
 
If you read the helpful threads pinned to the top of our TS/tics board, you will find a lot of info http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=2459
 
It is also always a wise move to make sure that the tics are not the result of strep or some other infection, as many times this can be the case, and a lot of physicians are still ignorant about this connection. We have a PANS/PANDAS forum here as well that has info about that
 
We do have other members here from Australia so hopefully they will be able to give you input as well.

My heart breaks for you, I'm new to the whole tic behaviour as well, so I know where you are right now. When my son started off, it was with the hard blinking of the eyes and a grunt at the end of the sentence. It went away for 2 months and now we have new tics, particularly the complex vocal tics. I think the hardest thing is not knowing, will it get better, will it get worse, what is causing it. I think I've read so much information that I keep accessing the same sites over and over.
 
What I have found is that it is not healthy to know too much, I ceased being a member in some forums because it just caused me more sadness, anxiety and absolute fear. I'm also exploring autoimmune deficiencies, allergies, yeast overgrowth, nutritional deficiencies and Strep (PANDA).
 
Most importantly I'm now just trying to accept the tics and take it day by day and not stress too much about the possibilities.
 
As one person said to me, everything you find and the people in forums are about the now, there are many who have gone through the tics and had them subside over time. It will be a waiting game, everyone's storey is different and unique to only them, but hold on to the fact that the majority of tics are outgrown. It's what I keep trying to remind myself everyday.
 
In the meantime, remember that your not alone and people are here for you.