Touching/repeating words/actions

[Guest Guest_efgh]

All

 

I have read that "touching things" and repeating words/actions are complex TS tics. My son had the touching tic for a while and also repeating words/actions once in a while. Anyone else had these kind of tics as a part of "transient tic disorder"?

I always wonder - " if the tics are complex, does that mean that the TS is becoming severe"....

 

thanks

efgh

[Chemar]

efgh

 

complex tics are NOT the same as severe TS....complex tics are just that there is more than one movement or sound in the tic.

 

Severe TS is very debilitating and controls almost every waking moment

 

Dont worry....from all you have written before....it really doesnt sound like your son has severe TS

[Guest Guest]

Hi Efgh,

 

My understanding of "complex tics" is that the movement involves different sets

of muscles (vs. the same group muscles). Complex tics can be transit as well.

My son started with complex motor tics. Hope this helps!

 

Jean

[Guest Guest_efgh]

Jean,

 

what were your son's initial complex tics?

 

thanks.

[Guest Guest]

Efgh,

 

He started with eye rollings, head nodding and arm flapping. The ped. nuro. classified him as complex motor tics.

[Claire]

efgh,

 

Of all of our kids, your son seems to have the strongest reaction to TV. Really, that strong a reaction to the visual aspects of TV makes him having a reaction to computer likely, even if not directly noticeable. I would be very hesitant to have anyone make any formal diagnosis of him until you tried no computer for a week also.

 

Please note that I am not suggesting that you take away computers, even for a week--I am just suggesting that you consider this aspect 'IF' you are thinking of going through some formal assessment and diagnosis for your son at the end of one year. Your son is one of the children I would worry about being misdiagnosed otherwise. I think of Heather and the peace of mind she says this knowledge gives her. This doesn't mean she doesn't let her son play computer anymore since the tics are minimal with some limits and her other health measures.

 

By the way, reintroducing computer for my son this past week, even on an LCD monitor is starting the arguments that we used to have (even before his tic reaction to computer). When his time limit is up, he is now playing a game with levels and randomness that make it very difficult for him to stop and he gets quite mad at me. Those games are just terrible. The randomness of taking away all your points or not finishing a level is just unhealthy for some kids. (He lost 2 game days of progress because I distracted him to give him his 1 minute warning). The characters move around and he must track and chase them--maybe that is a trigger for other neurological issues also. I am thinking of not allowing this game, but will give him another chance. He was mad for hours and he rarely gets mad anymore (he went through a stage there). I didn't realize it had that aspect--he has always had a hard time with those games, but does fine with others. I honestly think that no computer was easier, but that's life.

 

Claire

[Guest Guest_Julie]

What do you mean by "touching things"?

I see my son bring his fingers up to his nose and smell them or hold them there after he touches things. Is this what you mean or is this action part of tourettes too?

[Guest Guest_efgh]

Claire

 

Thanks for your inputs. I am anyway planning to implement "no screens" this week. will keep you all posted on the progress if any ...

Can you please let me know what you mean when you said "Your son is one of the children I would worry about being misdiagnosed otherwise".

 

thanks and I really appreciate your concern.

 

efgh

[Jennifer]

efgh,

 

Our son had touching and repeating word tics as well as some other strange ones.

 

I had never noticed an increase after watching T.V., but I have after being on the computer for a long time is the past, lately I have not.

 

Perhaps his increased overall health has made him less susceptible to the flicker cause of tics?

 

Jennifer

[Claire]

efgh,

 

I meant that if your son has both vocal and motor tics after a year, I would think that some neurologists (not all) might classify him as 'Tourettes'. Remember the mother here who said her child's neurologist gave him a dx of Tourette's after a 5 minute discussion, when the child wasn't having tics at the time?

 

If a child has Tourette's, that is fine, but in your son's case, if his tics is an intense reaction to screens (e.g. no vocal tics if no computers/TV at all), then they may not have Tourette's but be given a false label.

 

I thought of you more than anyone for this because your son seemed to have the strongest reaction to the visuals of TV, which means the computer visual may have an impact---for my son, he ticced during TV, but he didn't tic during computer, yet removing computer removed the tics. This may or may not be true with your son, but at least you would know for sure. It could bring peace of mind, even if he continues to play afterwards.

 

Good luck next week!

 

Claire