child with tics?

[pryncez]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm new to this site and I just wanted to see if anyone could help me figure out whats going on with a child in my class. He's 4 years-old, everytime he plays the computer, or does group, actually when he does anything, he puts his hans up to his mouth with the back of his hands on his lips, and starts to wiggle his fingers franticly. It's almost like he's itching his nose backwards. He has been exhibiting this behavior since September and it seems to be getting more and more frequent. The other children have noticed and when they asked him why he does that , he says, "I don't do that." Could this be something serious?

[Sunshine]

Hi Pryncez-

 

I am a newbie here. I can't comment on whether or not your student has a tic. However, I will offer some basic advice:

 

Tell his parent(s) what you have observed in class, without judgement or alarm. It will be their decision whether or not to bring him to medical professionals who could help diagnose the situation.

 

Tell the other students, "That's the way he's made. Don't worry."

 

Lastly, ignore the behaviour, because if it is a tic, drawing attention to it could make him feel uncomfortable and it could make it worse.

 

Hope that helps.

[Chemar]

Hi Pryncez

 

I would agree that this really is something a developmental pediatrician is best diagnosing.

 

Tics come in many different forms and so it could be one, but it could also be something else, or even just a habit he may have picked up by mimicing a TV cartoon character or something simple as that. It is worth noting that some people have photosensitivity that causes them to tic, and so, if this is not an LCD screen computer monitor but a CRT one, the flicker could be trigeering the tics. Focus and concentration can also be a tic trigger for some, although for others it has the opposite effect. When my son is focussed on something he rarely tics.

 

I do agree that it would be a good idea to detract the other students from drawing attention to it, as, especially if it is a tic, any focus on it could intensify it.

 

 

HTH

[mmazz]

First things first, I must compliment you on noticing this in a child that is not your own and finding this site to try to help him. My hat is off to educators such as yourself who go the distance. I also agree that you must ignore the behavior for if it is a tic calling attention to it will promote a greater response. Also, I am sure the parents already notice and are most likely they are awaiting some response from an outside source. I remember when my child was blinking a lot and I was concerned. I thought that maybe I was just being a mother hen and making more out of it than was it was. I promised myself not to make an issue out of it until it presented itself in class. Two weeks later I received a note from the teacher. That was my wake up call. What a parent chooses to do with that information is up to them. BUt again hats off to you for noticing and educating yourself on how to handle this child.

 

Be Well:

 

Marie

[Sunshine]

Marie- I applaude you for your positive posting about Pryncez's observations and efforts to research her student's behaviours. I fully agree.

 

I do want to comment, however, on the fine line that educators walk. I am only speaking from experience of my son in K. I feel like his teacher has become more concerned about his tics than either his doctors or his parents. I say, if tics are neither interfering with one's educational progress, nor with social interactions, then educators should not need to be so concerned. However, communication is essential, as tics can be exacerbated at school. It is a fine line!

 

I do take my hat off to teachers. What a huge endeavour it must be to teach our precious little children!!