New Here - Suspect TS in Daughter - Please Help

[true2myself]

m the mom of a 10 yr old daughter. I've always know since she was little that there was something different but couldn't really put a name to it. At 3 she repeated the last word of her sentence over and over.."My breakfast is good, good, good, good, good." This lasted for a long time probably 2 years or so. After this went away she started sucking in her stomach constantly!! She also always made lots of noises. She had a throat clearing thing for months that finally went away.

 

Now that she is 10 these tics have increased a lot! She has a head twitch that she does quite often (quickly swinging her head all the way to the left over and over again), random squawking like a bird, opera singing (I'm still unsure if this is a tic or not lol), and when walking she always looks over her left shoulder, saying "mmmmmm" under her breath over and over (this one strangely gets much worse when she watches TV). These are all the most recent ones.

 

Just a few weeks ago I came across the TS info when I googled "repeating words" ...I was always puzzled by why she did this. Once I started reading I just felt like I finally could put a name to this strange behavior and it all made sense finally!

 

I've had a talk with her last week about the tics...at first she completely denied them but then I told her about one that I had when I was little (I always felt immense pressure behind my eyes and would open them as wide as I could over and over again) and she finally opened up. It was amazing! It was the happiest I have seen her in a really long time she had a huge smile on her face and was telling me about some tics she has that I wasn't even aware of. It seems she knows she does some of them but others she is completely unaware of.

 

We're going to our Dr. tonight to get a referral to take her to a neurologist...I'm just a little concerned because it seems to be affecting her work at school. The teacher says she is often spaced out and not focusing. I've asked her if she's noticed the tics and she says she hasn't...I'm thinking that my daughter is trying so hard to contain these tics at school that she's concentrating on that more than her work. When she gets home she tics like crazy!!! I feel like by getting a diagnosis it will help me get help for her at school..the teacher keeps telling me "she can focus, she just doesn't want to" This infuriates me!! I also think that it may help my DD to be able to put a name to what is going on. She seemed to be kind of depressed lately but I've seen a lot of that disappear just talking to her about the tics and telling her they are just a part of who she is and she's beautiful It's really amazing how happy she gets when we talk about it now...some of them she thinks are funny and I can tell that she must have been very concerned about them and possibly thinking something was very wrong with her and was scared.

 

Just looking for some input and wondering if this sounds like TS?

[Kareninminn]

m the mom of a 10 yr old daughter. I've always know since she was little that there was something different but couldn't really put a name to it. At 3 she repeated the last word of her sentence over and over.."My breakfast is good, good, good, good, good." This lasted for a long time probably 2 years or so. After this went away she started sucking in her stomach constantly!! She also always made lots of noises. She had a throat clearing thing for months that finally went away.

 

Now that she is 10 these tics have increased a lot! She has a head twitch that she does quite often (quickly swinging her head all the way to the left over and over again), random squawking like a bird, opera singing (I'm still unsure if this is a tic or not lol), and when walking she always looks over her left shoulder, saying "mmmmmm" under her breath over and over (this one strangely gets much worse when she watches TV). These are all the most recent ones.

 

Just a few weeks ago I came across the TS info when I googled "repeating words" ...I was always puzzled by why she did this. Once I started reading I just felt like I finally could put a name to this strange behavior and it all made sense finally!

 

I've had a talk with her last week about the tics...at first she completely denied them but then I told her about one that I had when I was little (I always felt immense pressure behind my eyes and would open them as wide as I could over and over again) and she finally opened up. It was amazing! It was the happiest I have seen her in a really long time she had a huge smile on her face and was telling me about some tics she has that I wasn't even aware of. It seems she knows she does some of them but others she is completely unaware of.

 

We're going to our Dr. tonight to get a referral to take her to a neurologist...I'm just a little concerned because it seems to be affecting her work at school. The teacher says she is often spaced out and not focusing. I've asked her if she's noticed the tics and she says she hasn't...I'm thinking that my daughter is trying so hard to contain these tics at school that she's concentrating on that more than her work. When she gets home she tics like crazy!!! I feel like by getting a diagnosis it will help me get help for her at school..the teacher keeps telling me "she can focus, she just doesn't want to" This infuriates me!! I also think that it may help my DD to be able to put a name to what is going on. She seemed to be kind of depressed lately but I've seen a lot of that disappear just talking to her about the tics and telling her they are just a part of who she is and she's beautiful It's really amazing how happy she gets when we talk about it now...some of them she thinks are funny and I can tell that she must have been very concerned about them and possibly thinking something was very wrong with her and was scared.

 

Just looking for some input and wondering if this sounds like TS?

 

Yes, it does.

 

Some kids are able to suppress, they get better as they get older although it is still hard. It does take a lot of concentration so I think your conclusion is quite likely.

[Chemar]

Hi

Is there any history of TS or tic disorders in your or her father's families?

 

Just do note that where it is often very helpful to have a neurologist diagnose, they often suggest the strong meds which can have very adverse side effects. Just be informed before giving any to your child.

 

There is an excellent website to learn more about TS and the conditions that sometimes accompany it http://www.tourettesyndrome.net

 

Here at ACN/Latitudes, the focus is more on natural ways to help kids with TS/tics, and our admin, Sheila Rogers, has written a very helpful book about all this

http://www.latitudes.org/book.html

 

Do also take a look through our Helpful Threads at the top of the page http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=2459

[true2myself]

Hi

Is there any history of TS or tic disorders in your or her father's families?

 

Just do note that where it is often very helpful to have a neurologist diagnose, they often suggest the strong meds which can have very adverse side effects. Just be informed before giving any to your child.

 

There is an excellent website to learn more about TS and the conditions that sometimes accompany it http://www.tourettesyndrome.net

 

Here at ACN/Latitudes, the focus is more on natural ways to help kids with TS/tics, and our admin, Sheila Rogers, has written a very helpful book about all this

http://www.latitudes.org/book.html

 

Do also take a look through our Helpful Threads at the top of the page http://www.latitudes.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=2459

 

 

Thank you both for your replies.

 

Her father has told me that he has experienced some things that seem sort of similar...he has never been diagnosed but always thought they were signs of OCD.

 

I really do not want to put her on any meds..I honestly do not think it's that bad. I'm guessing that her's is pretty mild. I just recently switched to a pediatrician that takes a more holistic approach.

 

I guess the reason I am even considering the neurologist for a diagnosis is to try and get the school to help me more than they are now...if that makes sense.

[Chemar]

Yes, it makes absolute sense to try to get an accurate diagnosis to help with school. We did, and then got a 504 plan for my son which really made a big difference. He used it all the way from elementary through high. Some people prefer an IEP.

If your child does have TS, it is covered in the education system under ADA, so many accommodations are entitled by law

 

That is great that you have found a pedi doc with a more holistic approach

[true2myself]

Yes, it makes absolute sense to try to get an accurate diagnosis to help with school. We did, and then got a 504 plan for my son which really made a big difference. He used it all the way from elementary through high. Some people prefer an IEP.

If your child does have TS, it is covered in the education system under ADA, so many accommodations are entitled by law

 

That is great that you have found a pedi doc with a more holistic approach

 

Thanks for the input. I had a talk with the teacher at our conference and she was very open and understanding. She has in fact seen some signs at school but was unaware of exactly what the behavior was. DD usually turns around a few times every couple minutes looking over her left shoulder as if she is looking at something behind her. I can see how this is something that a teacher could get annoyed at or take it as if she is trying to talk kids behind her or look at someone's paper but she really isn't! Anyhow the teacher was a pleasure to speak with and very understanding. She did reccomend like you did about a 504 plan. She made a good point that after elementary school when they have more than 1 teacher it could be incredibly helpful to her. I know that she has trouble on timed tests and is easily distracted and being able to tailor things to her more would be a wonderful help!

 

I will continue to read here as often as possible. I see that there are tons of threads on diet/alternative medicines etc. I had taken my daughter to a dr. that does Nutrition Response Testing. I was told that she is allergic to milk (dairy), wheat & gluten and can have no sugar at all. I'm not sure what to think about the testing and how accurate it is though (if anyone is familiar with this process I would love to hear what you think) I do think it would be greatly beneficial to try eliminating some of these things from her diet though. Especially the milk and gluten. I was a little surprised to hear that she was allergic to milk. I try and feed my family well and never buy milk, eggs or meat that is not organic..but I guess if your body can not handle something such as milk...organic or not it's not good for you.

[Chemar]

Yes, the allergies are usually to the milk protein ie the casein or to the lactose so it makes no difference whether it is organic. Some people with cow's milk intoerance do see to be able to handle goats milk.

 

Elimination really does provide clues as when you reintroduce the offending food after a period of being off it...the reaction is usually very clear!

 

That is so good that she has a clued up teacher too

[true2myself]

Yes, the allergies are usually to the milk protein ie the casein or to the lactose so it makes no difference whether it is organic. Some people with cow's milk intoerance do see to be able to handle goats milk.

 

Elimination really does provide clues as when you reintroduce the offending food after a period of being off it...the reaction is usually very clear!

 

That is so good that she has a clued up teacher too

 

It really is!

 

Forgot to mention I was told she was deficient in Magnesium and I'm really surprised to find so much on this board that deals with this very issue. I'm beginning to find this place very help, I love it!! I've posted on a few other forums with no response...they just seem to be rather slow