Pippin

I don't mean this to sound stupid, but are you sure he's not just doing it because it looks cool? Different lights operate at different frequencies and can cause different effects if you wave your hand in front of them. Try it in front of an old CRT computer monitor; it has a strobe light-like effect. LCD monitors don't. It's a similar effect to staring at a ceiling fan (on a low speed) and blinking really fast; it has a strobe light effect. It could be a tic, but it could also just be that he's discovered a property of different frequencies of light emission and he's messing around with them. Of course, natural light wouldn't have this effect, so it could be a tic since you said he does it for natural light, too. And the fact that the neurologist diagnosed it as a tic means it probably is. How often does he do it? Every time he encounters a new light source? Only when he's board? How old is he? He just turned nine and has been doing this for 2.5 years. It started while at the pool and bright sunlight has the greatest affect. He tics a lot, everyday. At times it seems uncontrollable and is exacerbated by stress and excitement. However, there are many times he seems to get some other sort of need met by doing it. I say this because it's slower - the head goes back - than you know the hand will wave. When it's slower and seemingly more deliberate, he waves his hand longer. When it seems uncontrollable, the movement is quicker and shorter. Does that make sense? As I don't have any tics and actually, have never talked to anyone else that has (which you may find odd) I don't know how it feels and since he's young, it's hard to discuss. I keep going back to stress. Could it be some sort of stress relief?? I was just got a bottle of Melissa Supreme by Gaia's Children. It's supposed to help with stress and also has scullcap in it. I'm very, very new to all of this - especially the herbal remedies - and I don't feel like I know what I'm doing other than to keep trying different things. I would like a professional I could go to. My son doesn't fit "neatly" into any categories and I the professionals I've spoken with don't seem to know what to do. I will not give him medication. Any suggestions would be helpful.

My son has one tic - a chronic complex tic. As I read the forum, it appears that most have mulitple tics. Is it common to have just one tic? Also, my son's tic is waiving his hand in front of his face usually while he's looking at a light - either flourescent or natural. The movement appears deliberate as opposed to involuntary. He did go to a neurologist and it was determined it was a tic. Something just doesn't seem right. Any thoughts or ideas to explore? Thank you.

Thank you!!! You are the first person to tell me that you experience a similar situation!!! I had taken him to a pediatric eye doctor and he didn't seem to find anything. I think it's time to take him back again. After wearing the polarized sunglasses for a while, was your son able to stop wearing them? I've also been concerned about different chemicals in the brain including dopamine and serotonin. Do you have any information on these causing tics and anxiety issues? Thanks, again. This is the beginning of my search. I don't know any other parents in my area that have kids that tic. My seems to stand out even more. People stare - which I'm over. However, the support online is nice.

This morning when you sent this message, I was actually searching older posts of Claire. I've gathered some ideas. Mostly overwhelmed and somewhat confused. There's a clinic within 45 minutes that I believe may do a lot of testing discussed. I have very little knowledge and experience with tics. I will take him off all screen time for a week to see if there's an impact. Easy enough. However, he doesn't tic when watching TV. He tics at bright natural lighting, changes in lighting within the house, glares coming in the windows, etc, which you can imagine is often. He waves his hand in front of his face and usually his head is tilted somewhat upward. He can actually be drawn to the light and then stand there constantly ticcing. Anxiety is the only thing I know of that runs in our family and I believe it to be a chemical imbalance. But I've never had any real assistance is this area either, just ignore it and it will go away. My son may have some anxieties. I have no evidence to support this, but I think everything is tied together and I'm not sure where to start. I don't understand why doctors can't provide more insight and help. I did buy the book promoted on this website and I'm about half way through. I just finished the chapter on photosensitivities. Discussions on light sensitivities usually discuss flickering light. Again, I feel that may be missing the target with my son. ?? Thanks for you encouragement to continue looking. I'm just starting.

Thanks! I haven't looked into allergies yet and I'm trying to determine the best method to do so. Have you tried herbal supplements for stress? The light trigger is the one I find the most difficult to deal with. Have you heard of kids "out growing" light sensitivities? Have you read anywhere what causes a light sensitivity? My son just turned 9 and has been ticcing for 2.5 years. I was told by the neurologist to just ignore the tic, which I did for a while.

My son developed a complex chronic tic at the pool one day - seemly out of the blue. He has now been ticcing for 2.5 years. Light, especially bright sunlight, causes him to tic constantly. Indoor concentrated light can also make him tic. How do you control lighting? Is there therapy that is successful? Should I be looking at this differently? Stress and excitement also increase tics. I don't know of anyone in my extended family that has tics but anxiety problems are common. If anyone has any advice as to where to start, I'd really appreciate it. Thank you.