supereen

Hi everyone. We bought Peter in for his neuro appointment yesterday (finally!!) and he has "transient tic syndrome". Its the mildest form of Tourette's tics, but if his tics continue for more than a year, he needs to be rediagnosed. I was curious to know how many people have formerly been diagnosed with this, but then rediagnosed with something else if their tics continued. He originally started having tics like crazy about a month ago, when kindergarten started, but it seems they have gone away (but not for good) since he's gotten into more of a school routine. The doctor says they usually come out from stress and fatigue. Just wondering if this is a diagnosis made because its too soon to see if its something more, kwim?? Thanks!! Eileen

Andy, thank you so much for that message. Each day that goes by, I am more and more sure he DOESN'T have Aspergers, but it makes it frustrating not knowing WHAT it is. Tuesday is our appointment but I have a feeling that not many of our questions will be answered. Can they possibly diagnose him in one visit?? Peter has been doing so great the past 2 days, but this morning he woke up and was ticing like crazy. The neck strain, eye popper one that I haven't seen him do in 3 days is back. He did it once or twice and a couple of the head shakings. This is going to sound really stupid, but this kid hasn't had a BM since Sunday! The last time he had the ticcing like this he also hadn't gone to the bathroom in a while. It seems to get worse as the days progress. Could his problems having a BM have ANYTHING to do with this? Just one more question I have! You said yoou limit the video games, and TV time. Is your son totally attached to these things?? I think Peter would die without his Sony!! Not a healthy obsession I'm sure and I know I also need to cut him off of it. I have also placed an order for an autism/diet book. I see alot of people have success with gluten-free diets and modifying their kids diets. I will have to give this a try. What kind of supplements do you use with your son? You have me curious as to when you said "we lived in NYC until he started showing signs". Was the stress of the city bothering him? Were you living right in Manhattan? I guess all the hustle and bustle could be intimidating to a child. We live in New Jersey, and the only person who heads to NYC is my husband who works there. Anyway.... Hope to hear from you!! Eileen

Claire, THANK YOU. I will head to the library today. As each day passes, I think less and less that its Aspergers. We're heading to the neuro on Tuesday and hopefully some of my questions will have answers. I will be sure to write about his diet in the journal I am keeping.

Thank you Diane. Actually, after watching 60 Minutes tonite (where they did a segment on a couple with Aspergers) and reading the comment above that if your child is affectionate, they probablydon't have Aspergers, I am starting to think he DOESN'T have that. Speaking with his teacher, I am starting to also think of focal seizures. I actually witnessed him "zoning out" for 3 minutes tonite in karate and then suddenly "returning to life" and laughing and participating. It was so weird to see. He really does have alot of the symptoms associated with AS, but again, I don't think thats it. He has gotten much better the last 2 days. He still tics, but its certainly not as frequent. A healthy dinner?? LOL!! My little guy eats peanut butter, mac and butter, and goldfish!! I know he needs to eat healthier but he refuses, and I make sure he gets his daily vitamin. I will speak to the doctor about diet when I see her. We actually got a new appt now - Oct 5th with a ped neuro from NYU. Keeping my fingers crossed and concentraing on the tics only. Yes, I am a SAHM (thank goodness) - I wouldn't be able to work knowing he was like this - I think I'd go out of my mind!! They don't have an "at home" lunch thing here. But its a great idea - and if I needed the exception made, the school system here is fabulous and I am sure they'd be accomodating. Thanks so much for all your advice and words of wisdom. They are appreciated more than you know.

Thank you for the response. He has had the tics everyday - yesterday he started also shaking his head, like "no" alot. It seems he has them most when tired, hungry, has to go to the bathroom, or stressed. The sight of the school bus the other morning had him "ticing" like crazy. This waiting for the neurologist appt is the hard part. I can't stand not knowing for sure what is wrong. I have also been reading the OASIS Asperger book and it sounds alot like Pete. I have been keeping a notebook of all the things I am observing about him.

My mom just called to tell me that on Jane Pauley this Friday, she will be talking about Children with Aspergers. Click here for show info

Hi all - my name is Eileen, I have a 5-year old son Peter who has recently started having these facial spasms. Took him to his pediatrician who has said he THINKS it looks like Tourettes, however, he needs to be seen and evaluated by a neurologist. My appoinment is on October 13th, and I am sure you can all guess that I am going out of my mind now with the waiting. DOES he have Tourettes??? THAT is the question my husband and I need answered. The fact that we have to sit and watch my son go thru this without knowing for sure what it is is exremely upsetting and frustrating. My question is this: can what he be doing be classified as a Tourette's tic?? I always think of tics as something like your eye throbbing, or a twitch. What Peter is doing is kinda hard to explain. His neck thrusts out, his right eye kinda opens wider, and his mouth opens and quivers. It lasts for about 3 seconds. It happens approx. once every 8 minutes, more frequently when he is tired, hungry or has to have a bowel movement. To us, it looks almost like palsy, but I'm not a doctor and I have no clue. On top of all this, his Kindergarten teacher has given us alot of reasons to think he has Asperger's Syndrome. Upon researching it on the internet, everything we have read describes Pete and his personality to a tee. Can the Tourettes tics, if thats what they are, be related in some way to Asperger's?? I am at my wits end - I don't know if I should be keeping him home from school or not until he gets tested, I am so frustrated, sad, hysterical, you name it!, that ANY info, advice, ANYTHING, would be so appreciated!!! Thanks!!!!