If you've taken a child to a neuro for tics/movement issues -

[amom526]

DS1 age 6-7 is having some strange body movements - he's been prone to some transient tics, but I'm considering a pediatric neurologist to rule out anything else going on.

If you've taken your kid to a neurologist for this, what did the appointment look like - my biggest concern is that they will make a big deal in front of DS1 about the movements, who I don't think he even realizes he is doing it.

Also, how do you explain an appointment like this if the kid hasn't complained about anything. He can be anxious, and he's going to need an explanation about why he's going to a new doctor.

[bisous]

DS1 age 6-7 is having some strange body movements - he's been prone to some transient tics, but I'm considering a pediatric neurologist to rule out anything else going on.

If you've taken your kid to a neurologist for this, what did the appointment look like - my biggest concern is that they will make a big deal in front of DS1 about the movements, who I don't think he even realizes he is doing it.

Also, how do you explain an appointment like this if the kid hasn't complained about anything. He can be anxious, and he's going to need an explanation about why he's going to a new doctor.

So DS1 stuttered when he was around 5 or 6 and I was worried about it. DS1 was not very observant so when I mentioned it subtly to the ped, she was very discreet and she said that the best way for it to go away was to not worry about it too much and that stuttering was common around that age. Now, with tics it might be different but I think it still holds that it is best not to talk about them, and your concerns are well placed. I might assume that a specialist in this area would KNOW that there is a psychological component to the tics and not to mention them too loudly to your DS but from experience I know better than to assume anything about medical professionals (or really anyone my kids interact with.) Can you contact the neurologist before the appointment to mention your concerns? I know for me I can email the provider ahead of time and it sometimes helps.

[hillview]

DS1 used to get these all the time. He would tense up his neck so it would flare out. He would tense his mouth muscles to make a face. He would pull his hair. He would also chew on his shirt. He would make a throat clearing sort of sound. All of these would last a month to a few months and then go away. It started when he was 3 or 4 years old. I did casually mention it to my pedi who said to ignore it. I never took it past that. He has outgrown this behavior. It did come and go for a few years.

ETA I appreciate I am not answering your question! Sorry and good luck!

[jenmcadams]

My son (age 12) started getting transient (facial) tics around age 8-9. We asked our pediatrician about when we should be concerned and he told us that tics are very common through mid-teen years and that generally the best course of action is to ignore them. Our doctors told us that unless the same tic lasts for a prolonged (6+ month period of time), they don't do anything. The frequency of his tics has diminished, but they haven't gone away completely (he's currently just started with another mild facial tic). We'll go months and months without seeing a tic and then they generally last a few weeks to a month or two and then they're gone. They're definitely worse when he's tired or stressed. It sucks, but most kids have been kind about them (actually adults annoy us more with questioning). It's pretty common.

Good luck

[amom526]

DS1 used to get these all the time. He would tense up his neck so it would flare out. He would tense his mouth muscles to make a face. He would pull his hair. He would also chew on his shirt. He would make a throat clearing sort of sound. All of these would last a month to a few months and then go away. It started when he was 3 or 4 years old. I did casually mention it to my pedi who said to ignore it. I never took it past that. He has outgrown this behavior. It did come and go for a few years.

ETA I appreciate I am not answering your question! Sorry and good luck!


My son (age 12) started getting transient (facial) tics around age 8-9. We asked our pediatrician about when we should be concerned and he told us that tics are very common through mid-teen years and that generally the best course of action is to ignore them. Our doctors told us that unless the same tic lasts for a prolonged (6+ month period of time), they don't do anything. The frequency of his tics has diminished, but they haven't gone away completely (he's currently just started with another mild facial tic). We'll go months and months without seeing a tic and then they generally last a few weeks to a month or two and then they're gone. They're definitely worse when he's tired or stressed. It sucks, but most kids have been kind about them (actually adults annoy us more with questioning). It's pretty common.

Good luck

thanks - I guess my biggest concern, is that these are not actually tics, but some other neuro issue. I guess I should probably give it another month or two before taking him to a neuro. He's had little things before that I wasn't worried about, and did go away etc. but this doesn't seem quite like that.

[hillview]

thanks - I guess my biggest concern, is that these are not actually tics, but some other neuro issue. I guess I should probably give it another month or two before taking him to a neuro. He's had little things before that I wasn't worried about, and did go away etc. but this doesn't seem quite like that.
I’d call and set an appointment. They can take a while to be available. Maybe take a video of what you are seeing that’s a concern.

[mackmama]

I'd get an appt now since it can take awhile to get in to see a neuro. Although I agree that stuttering and tics come and go, I'd also trust your mommy gut. If you feel he should be seen or to just rule something out, there's no harm in going to check it out. I agree re calling the doctor's office beforehand to communicate your concerns re the doctor being subtle. I'd also write a note that you will hand to the doctor during the appointment that says in bold at the top "Please be discreet in discussing issues in front of DC" and then lists what's been going on so that you don't have to say it out loud in front of DC. In your note, I'd include DC's history of tics, when they started, how long the transient tics lasted, when these new body movements started and what they look like, and any other questions/concerns you have. Also see if you can take a video of your DC doing the movements that you could show the doctor (you might want to ask the doctor to step into the hall to show him the video).

[trales]

You are most likely looking 2-4 months to get an appointment, so make it, wait and see and you can cancel if it goes away. If it doesn't, you have an appointment.

[AmyZ]

Most likely, they will schedule an MRI - just to rule out anything.

Magnesium can be helpful for tics - if you are looking for something to try. You can also buy something called "Tic Tamer" on Amazon.

My 10 year old has transient tics. They don't bother her, so we don't treat them. She does a lot of head nodding and her hands can tremble.

[RedSuedeShoes]

My oldest (now 17) had lots of transient tics when he was younger. They started around toddler age. Mostly motor, with one sort of verbal (throat clearing). His pediatrician said we could try meds, but they are not super effective and there's no data on safety of long term use. My DH asked a work contact with relevant experience what he would do if it were his child, and he recommended a cranial osteopath. We took him to her for several months and then saw a big shift - he stopped having the big tic movements altogether and was left with just a few quirky small movements that probably only we would notice. I was so grateful for the improvement, and I still wished we could get him to the point where he was really comfortable in his body. A couple years later, we started taking his younger sister to a chiropractor after an injury on the monkey bars. The chiro observed my son's gait in the hallway and told me he needed to see him to get him straightened out. I wondered how he could possibly be out of whack since he was so super cautious physically he had never been injured. He said lots of children with difficult births need help getting back into alignment, and if they don't get that help, they can end up being not comfortable enough in their own bodies to take physical risks! That was completely my son. He told me he could certainly help my son, but it might take some time since he'd been growing around these "stuck points" for 10 years. I was also worried about what to tell my son about the appt, since he was a deep thinker and a worrier. I ended up telling him this was just a way to take good care of his body, and that the dr. & I thought it might be helpful to him. We didn't have any expectations for the first visit at all, but when we walked out he told me he felt like he had a new spine & he wanted to make sure not to do anything to mess it up! We went to a playground right afterwards, and he asked if it was OK for him to jump off a beam (maybe a foot off the ground) or if it would mess up his "new spine." By six weeks later (after regular visits), all his little quirky movements were gone. My son was calm and comfortable in his body. His gait was smooth, and the treads wore evenly on his shoes for the first time ever. I am not exaggerating a bit when I say that over the next 2 months, he grew 2-3 inches and developed an out-of-the-blue passion for basketball (after never being a bit interested in sports or movement before that). He went on to play basketball through middle school, and has been a ref for younger kids' league throughout HS so far. It is no exaggeration to say that chiropractor changed his life! I am so grateful to that chiro, and all the events that brought us to him. All that to say...my advice is go find a good chiropractor first! Best of luck.

[amom526]

I'd get an appt now since it can take awhile to get in to see a neuro. Although I agree that stuttering and tics come and go, I'd also trust your mommy gut. If you feel he should be seen or to just rule something out, there's no harm in going to check it out. I agree re calling the doctor's office beforehand to communicate your concerns re the doctor being subtle. I'd also write a note that you will hand to the doctor during the appointment that says in bold at the top "Please be discreet in discussing issues in front of DC" and then lists what's been going on so that you don't have to say it out loud in front of DC. In your note, I'd include DC's history of tics, when they started, how long the transient tics lasted, when these new body movements started and what they look like, and any other questions/concerns you have. Also see if you can take a video of your DC doing the movements that you could show the doctor (you might want to ask the doctor to step into the hall to show him the video).

this is very helpful - thank you!


My oldest (now 17) had lots of transient tics when he was younger. They started around toddler age. Mostly motor, with one sort of verbal (throat clearing). His pediatrician said we could try meds, but they are not super effective and there's no data on safety of long term use. My DH asked a work contact with relevant experience what he would do if it were his child, and he recommended a cranial osteopath. We took him to her for several months and then saw a big shift - he stopped having the big tic movements altogether and was left with just a few quirky small movements that probably only we would notice. I was so grateful for the improvement, and I still wished we could get him to the point where he was really comfortable in his body. A couple years later, we started taking his younger sister to a chiropractor after an injury on the monkey bars. The chiro observed my son's gait in the hallway and told me he needed to see him to get him straightened out. I wondered how he could possibly be out of whack since he was so super cautious physically he had never been injured. He said lots of children with difficult births need help getting back into alignment, and if they don't get that help, they can end up being not comfortable enough in their own bodies to take physical risks! That was completely my son. He told me he could certainly help my son, but it might take some time since he'd been growing around these "stuck points" for 10 years. I was also worried about what to tell my son about the appt, since he was a deep thinker and a worrier. I ended up telling him this was just a way to take good care of his body, and that the dr. & I thought it might be helpful to him. We didn't have any expectations for the first visit at all, but when we walked out he told me he felt like he had a new spine & he wanted to make sure not to do anything to mess it up! We went to a playground right afterwards, and he asked if it was OK for him to jump off a beam (maybe a foot off the ground) or if it would mess up his "new spine." By six weeks later (after regular visits), all his little quirky movements were gone. My son was calm and comfortable in his body. His gait was smooth, and the treads wore evenly on his shoes for the first time ever. I am not exaggerating a bit when I say that over the next 2 months, he grew 2-3 inches and developed an out-of-the-blue passion for basketball (after never being a bit interested in sports or movement before that). He went on to play basketball through middle school, and has been a ref for younger kids' league throughout HS so far. It is no exaggeration to say that chiropractor changed his life! I am so grateful to that chiro, and all the events that brought us to him. All that to say...my advice is go find a good chiropractor first! Best of luck.

I have been considering taking him to a chiro - thanks for sharing that!

[mackmama]

Not to be a downer re chiropractors, but a chiropractor almost paralyzed me and ended up changing my physical life in innumerable ways. I know many people have positive stories about chiros but my PSA - please be careful when considering seeing (or taking your DC) to a chiro. My neurologist said she sees paralyzed patients all.of.the.time as a result of chiros. And my chiro used a "non-force" technique to boot!

[RedSuedeShoes]

Not to be a downer re chiropractors, but a chiropractor almost paralyzed me and ended up changing my physical life in innumerable ways. I know many people have positive stories about chiros but my PSA - please be careful when considering seeing (or taking your DC) to a chiro. My neurologist said she sees paralyzed patients all.of.the.time as a result of chiros. And my chiro used a "non-force" technique to boot!

I'm so sorry to hear this! I'm curious what sort of non-force technique?

I was very leery about chiropractors prior to this experience. I definitely recommend seeking recommendations. I feel so fortunate to have found ours and have wondered what I'll do when he retires.

[drewsmom4405]

I'm so sorry to hear this! I'm curious what sort of non-force technique?

I was very leery about chiropractors prior to this experience. I definitely recommend seeking recommendations. I feel so fortunate to have found ours and have wondered what I'll do when he retires.

My son had similar experiences to yours. Our ped suggested a neuro visit after the 3rd tic. The visit was painless and the neuro quickly ruled out any neurological issues. At the same time, our son was dealing with undiagnosed strep. We have now found that anytime he gets strep (and sometime other infections like a sinus infection) we see a tic flare. In fact, I have brought him to the ped b/c of observed tic and increased anxiety, no fever, sore-throat or other symptoms and he has been positive for strep. It is a condition called PANDAS. It is not recognized in all medical circles, but luckily the medical professionals that we work with see the connection.

Might be worth your time to look it up and run a quick strep test.

http://www.pandasnetwork.org/understanding-pandaspans/what-is-pandas/

Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions.

HTH,
Kathleen

[RedSuedeShoes]

My son had similar experiences to yours. Our ped suggested a neuro visit after the 3rd tic. The visit was painless and the neuro quickly ruled out any neurological issues. At the same time, our son was dealing with undiagnosed strep. We have now found that anytime he gets strep (and sometime other infections like a sinus infection) we see a tic flare. In fact, I have brought him to the ped b/c of observed tic and increased anxiety, no fever, sore-throat or other symptoms and he has been positive for strep. It is a condition called PANDAS. It is not recognized in all medical circles, but luckily the medical professionals that we work with see the connection.

Might be worth your time to look it up and run a quick strep test.

http://www.pandasnetwork.org/understanding-pandaspans/what-is-pandas/

Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions.

HTH,
Kathleen

Wow, that is very interesting. Thanks for mentioning it. I glanced at this site. A few of these pieces definitely fit for him (anxiety, depression, autoimmune, and a week in the ICU with toxic shock syndrome from a presumed strep infxn just before his 8th bday). I wonder if it fits totally, though, since he no longer has any tics ever. For 7 years now. Hmm, will definitely run it by my naturopath though. We will be switching insurance/pediatricians soon, but I'll definitely be keeping this in mind. Are there sites or forums (or FB groups, etc.) you would recommend for me to learn more?