Help me out here: tic, OCD, or sensory issue? I'm befuddled!

[ilovedogs]

My ds has always had a smelling thing going on. I don't think I can classify it as a tic b/c he only does it in certain situations(can that still be a tic?). Anyway, he plays competitive tennis and was smelling the tennis balls and his racquet handle. I told him to stop smelling the balls b/c of the dust and germs on them, and he was able to stop. But, I think it caused him to smell his racquet handle even more. So, now he smells his racquet DURING points and I think it's throwing off his rhythm while playing. It's one thing to smell it before you serve or when you're getting ready to return the other player's serve, but during points I find it's messing him up!

 

I told him to be more conscious of when he does it and to actually tell himself to stop doing it. Not sure if that was the right thing to do but I know it bugs him b/c the kids all make fun of him and imitate him, too. One of the parents asked me why he kisses his racquet and I had to explain the tics, etc to her and tell her that he was sniffing, not kissing, LOL!

 

He also smells his forearms after he showers and smells his fingers after eating or after touching flowers or something that smells strong(again, just situational smelling, not like he has to smell everything all day long). Our doc said it was a sensory thing but didn't give me suggestions for how to handle it. So, if you all have any tried and true theories or solutions, I'd love to hear them! Thx!

 

Bonnie

[faith]

Bonnie,

I think may of us have gone thru a smelling tic. my son did that when he was younger. it wasn't everything, but some things and of course his fingers. These usually don't seem to last long, like its more of a "phase". I think its more of a compulsion to smell "certain" things, like he is aware that the tennis stuff has a certain smell and he "has" to check it out. frustratng for the game, but I think its okay to gently remind him before he plays to try to do that before or after and not during. some may not agree with me, but I think its okay to try to help make tics or compulsions more "socially" appropriate.

 

Hey, ...at least YOUR kid can play tennis, ....

 

 

Faith

[Chemar]

Hi Bonnie

 

yup we have been thru the smells too....for my son it was definitely one of his Tourettic OCD blends

[ilovedogs]

Ok, so we talked to him about it and he said he can stop if he wants to. OI! This kid drives me crazy! Just when I think it's a true tic, he tells me he thinks he can control it. Why is that? Sure enough, we went to tennis 2x yesterday(one private lesson in the AM, and group lessons at night) and I didn't see him sniff his racquet grip once. Is this just unbelievable brain control or is does he just like messing with me?

 

This is the same kid who used to suck his thumb and just decided when he turned 6 that he was OVER all that and that he would stop. And, he did! I remember thinking that I'd love that kind of will power in my efforts to give up carbs and chocolate! LOL! Needless to say, the facial tics frustrate him b/c he can't control them. So, I've determined that some things are within his control, while others are not. My question is: does this come from 2 different issues? Or are they all bundled into the same ball of wax? I guess some things may never get answered, eh?