5YO- tics or..?

[humpforfree]

The last 6ish months I’ve noticed my kid doing some weird things. At first I thought it was just a weird habit that he would stop soon. If I call him out on it, he really has no clue it was happening, so I’ve tried just ignoring.
It started as a tongue licking/flicking kind of motion. While eating, while listening to a story, especially. Like, every bit would be several flicks. Or sitting next to me on the sofa just a constant tongue flicking while I read. It was intense for a few weeks, but eventually stopped. Every once in awhile it would reappear for a week or two. Recently it’s morphed into kissing during reading (nothing at the table)- usually his stuffed dog, but me too if he is leaning on me. Just repeated kissing, not knowing/realizing he’s doing it.

A few times in the last couple of weeks he’s had a really bad behavior day (not listening, just going completely bonkers with behavior he doesn’t do normally/knows better- tackling his sister over and over, throwing fits, jumping onto the sofa, racing around the house- mostly physical things) and those days he’s also made noises NONSTOP. Just “weeooooo!” “Wooooo!” type noises. Again, doesn’t really seem to realize he’s doing it. I call it out and ask him to chill, but it doesn’t help bc he didn’t realize he was doing it (and it honestly might be making it worse when I say something). These days are the WORST for me. I am introverted (and honestly have some random sensory/auditory things that bother me, but nothing severe or diagnosable, just things that bother me) and the nonstop noise is just... has me in tears by the end of the day. That on top of the behavior has me losing my mind.

Idk what I need with all this. Is it something worth bringing up to the pedi? I can always email her to see if she wants us to come in so we don’t waste her time if it’s nothing/just a phase. I’m a little worried about him going to K in a couple of weeks and the noise/habits bothering the teacher or kids. It’s not constant, but I’m guessing it will happen during circle time, or while working at his desk quietly...

(They play outside a lot- running, jumping on trampoline, swings. Rarely have screen time- like a half hour to hour total every week or two- screen time was sooooo bad for behavior here.)

[mccallister84]

My children aren’t this old but I would contact the pediatrician about this.

[humpforfree]

I forgot to add, too, that today when he was making the noises, it crept into his speech too. Like his voice tone would raise like the noise, but while he was talking/using words.

[lilac05]

Yes, it’s worth bringing up with the pedi. Not because I think it’s a huge deal, but because I think that any time a parent has a concern that could possibly have a medical component, I think it should be mentioned to the pedi. It may be nothing, it may be something, or it may be a tiny piece to a bigger puzzle that is put together later...but regardless of the concern, I think it’s good to have on record.

DS1’s friend has had a variety of tics for the past couple of years. They’ve done all kinds of testing, diet modifications, behavior modifications, etc. No answers. I think they’re just hoping she grows out of it at this point. Initially, she wasn’t aware of them at all. In 2nd grade, she started to notice them, especially since one of them would cause her neck discomfort. Some were very obvious to me (partially because I knew what was going on), but my son has never mentioned a thing. They’re BFFs and play together all the time, and I don’t know that he’s ever even noticed. And if he did notice, he doesn’t care. Kids are only focused on themselves, especially at your son’s age!

I would definitely mention it to the teacher before school starts, if possible. They will be much more understanding if they know this is happening ahead of time. He won’t get wrongly placed in the category of “disruptive” or “naughty” (which I loathe). He will be recognized as a child who has some seemingly involuntary behaviors that may involve noise in the classroom. Remember that most teachers are experienced in having children in the classroom who could be seen by some as disruptive, but are really just great kids who aren’t able to control whatever it may be. If the teacher gives you the impression that they don’t “buy it” and act like you’re trying to excuse poor behavior, ask for a different teacher. Don’t even give them a chance.

[erbear]

Yes to the pedi. Ask her/him to run a strep titer. PANS/PANDAS can present that way.

[zarapipe]

Dd1 has a tick. She does this weird clearing of her throat thing. It gets worse when she is anxious and it has gone away at times but always comes back. At first I thought it was allergies and took her to her pedi. Her counselor and therapist both say tics are normal in kids but gosh it is so annoying some days. She doesn’t even realize she is doing it. I did worry about her in school bc it is so prominent to me but her teachers are fine with it after I explain what it is. I would see a pedi just to ease your anxiety about it.

[redheadbaker]

DS had a tic at that age. We discussed it with the pedi, and took a wait-and-see approach. He grew out of it.

[humpforfree]

This was helpful- thanks everyone! I sent a message to the pedi via our portal (basically C&P what I wrote here).

[countthestars]

Hope you get some answers soon! That would drive me crazy too - I like total silence.

[humpforfree]

Aug 14, 2019 8:04:49 GMT -5 countthestars said:

Hope you get some answers soon! That would drive me crazy too - I like total silence.

It’s like the repetitive noise especially that bothers me. Worst is in the car. NON.STOP. I actually got some video of the noises/voice thing/and doggy kissing this morning, so hopefully those help the pedi too.

[waverly]

No experience with tics here per se, but DS is very sensory driven and went to OT for that. I would ask your pedi.

DS was constantly clearing his throat, and I realized that was a symptom of strep. It went away when he had antibiotics. Since it was his throat I figured it was his way of dealing with the discomfort rather than a PANDAS tic. However, when I asked him he said his throat did not hurt.

[humpforfree]

Aug 14, 2019 9:26:34 GMT -5 waverly said:

No experience with tics here per se, but DS is very sensory driven and went to OT for that. I would ask your pedi.

DS was constantly clearing his throat, and I realized that was a symptom of strep. It went away when he had antibiotics. Since it was his throat I figured it was his way of dealing with the discomfort rather than a PANDAS tic. However, when I asked him he said his throat did not hurt.

If he had strep though wouldn’t he be contagious & the rest of us have symptoms? I had strep a couple of months ago (for the first time in like 15 years), but other than that no one in our house has had it. Antibiotics cleared mine up right away.

I was actually googling about sensory driven kids yesterday too, so I’m glad to see I wasn’t just making that up either 🤣 Something to bring up to the pedi if she doesn’t mention it.

[waverly]

humpforfree, yes he would be contagious. Usually we don't all get strep through in the family. It is like half of us get it and half of us don't. I don't know enough about germs and immunology to explain why. However, the 2 times that he had strep and was clearing his throat none of us got it. Not saying your son has strep, just something to ask about in addition to the the sensory. The kissing was what made me think possible sensory.

[humpforfree]

Aug 14, 2019 9:35:35 GMT -5 waverly said:

humpforfree, yes he would be contagious. Usually we don't all get strep through in the family. It is like half of us get it and half of us don't. I don't know enough about germs and immunology to explain why. However, the 2 times that he had strep and was clearing his throat none of us got it. Not saying your son has strep, just something to ask about in addition to the the sensory. The kissing was what made me think possible sensory.

Good to know- thanks!!

[humpforfree]

Aug 14, 2019 12:35:42 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

My DS used to (and still sometimes does) a tongue sucking thing, so of like a comfort behavior. I don't think he realizes that he does it. Also, when he was 5-6 he regularly talked to himself and made noises while he played.His kindergarten and 1st grade teachers even commented on it, and again, i don't think that he realized it. That said, my DS has some mild sensory stuff going on and he has largely outgrown both of those behaviors. 

If you are concerned, talk to your ped, but i just wanted to share to ease your mind.

I wouldn’t be shocked if L has some sensory stuff or mild anxiety happening also. I sent the dr a message on the portal and have gotten some good videos of it today to show her. The noises have been nonstop today... and it’s been a good behavior day, I haven’t had to be fussing or correcting or anything either. So I don’t know if it actually IS connected to behavior or not now. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Pilsy]

I'm glad you messaged the pedi. It's worth exploring whether he/she is familiar with PANS/PANDAS. It's probably not that, but it's worth noting some people are asymptomatic with strep throat, and you can have a strep infection outside the throat.


I hope you get some answers and it subsides soon. Good luck!

[erbear]

Aug 14, 2019 9:35:35 GMT -5 waverly said:

humpforfree , yes he would be contagious. Usually we don't all get strep through in the family. It is like half of us get it and half of us don't. I don't know enough about germs and immunology to explain why. However, the 2 times that he had strep and was clearing his throat none of us got it. Not saying your son has strep, just something to ask about in addition to the the sensory. The kissing was what made me think possible sensory.

To add to the fun, my daughter's strep is symptom free, until the PANDAS stuff shows up.

[pugz]

a friend's child was just diagnosed with PANDAS and tics are definitely a part of it.


but I will also say that my daughter has had some weird phases like this too...and my toddler seems to have an inability to not make weird repetitive noises in the car. My oldest outgrew some of the weird mouth stuff, the toddler, well it remains to be seen.

[humpforfree]

Aug 14, 2019 16:23:43 GMT -5 pugz said:

a friend's child was just diagnosed with PANDAS and tics are definitely a part of it.


but I will also say that my daughter has had some weird phases like this too...and my toddler seems to have an inability to not make weird repetitive noises in the car. My oldest outgrew some of the weird mouth stuff, the toddler, well it remains to be seen.

Today was out of control with the noises. All day long. I wanted to scratch my ears off.

[humpforfree]

Aug 14, 2019 14:04:52 GMT -5 erbear said:

Aug 14, 2019 9:35:35 GMT -5 waverly said:

humpforfree , yes he would be contagious. Usually we don't all get strep through in the family. It is like half of us get it and half of us don't. I don't know enough about germs and immunology to explain why. However, the 2 times that he had strep and was clearing his throat none of us got it. Not saying your son has strep, just something to ask about in addition to the the sensory. The kissing was what made me think possible sensory.

To add to the fun, my daughter's strep is symptom free, until the PANDAS stuff shows up.

Yikes!!

[keh2oblue]

Aug 14, 2019 6:51:39 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

DS had a tic at that age. We discussed it with the pedi, and took a wait-and-see approach. He grew out of it.

Same. My DD had a neck stretching/cracking tic and grew out of it.

[humpforfree]

Pedi said they do look like tics from nervousness or excitement. Possibly with a sensory component. We just KOKO and monitor for now and if it affects his life or bother others at school, then we look into therapy to learn to control them. Sounds like it’s just something he may grow out of, like others mentioned.

[pugz]

humpforfree yeah Cora does some stuff that I assume is sensory related

[bowies]

My 5 yo goes through phases like this too. They come out during times he’s unsure of himself. The impending kindergarten start date may be triggering it with your DS.

I know that my DS gets his anxious tics from me. I still have mine at almost 40. 😬