3 year old son w/TS
Question:
My 3 year old (almost 4 year old) son got diagnosed with TS last week. He has had tics since he was 2 years old. For a year the doctors kept telling me they were normal and they would go away. Well 2 years later & they haven’t gone away. I have no idea what to expect in the future with my son going to school. He has always been a super intellegent child and still is. He has always been a super shy child, with what seems like no back bone to stick up for himself. Since the time he was 3 months he was always afraid of strangers. He has gotten better in that situation. I would appreciate any information or advice from anyone! I am up nights scared to death about what will happen when he has to go to school. I am afraid for him to get picked on, especially because he just crumbles when he is picked on in daycare now. I have heard alot of things that could go with TS, such as ADHD, compulsive disorder, and anger outbursts. He has had none of these so far, but is this what I am to expect? Please any information from people who have experience in this would be very appreciated. Thanks Frantic Mom
Response:
Hi Toby, My son is 10 now. He was dx is TS+ 2 years ago. But we knew he had something way back when he was three. What made me think this was not his eye blinking but more his rages. He was so angry all the time and he would just burst into anger for no reason. But he was angry right from the get go. Looking back, I think he was angry coming out of the womb. 
But you adapt, and there are great books out there. Try not to worry (yeah right) But worrying for something that may never happen would be wasting your time on heartbreak, instead enjoy your son now, in the present. Good luck to you. JNB "Toby Place" <tpl…@rochester.rr.com> wrote in message
news:loHz8.3468$qU1.528171@typhoon.nyroc.rr.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My 3 year old (almost 4 year old) son got diagnosed with TS last week. He > has had tics since he was 2 years old. For a year the doctors kept telling > me they were normal and they would go away. Well 2 years later & they > haven’t gone away. I have no idea what to expect in the future with my son > going to school. He has always been a super intellegent child and still is. > He has always been a super shy child, with what seems like no back bone to > stick up for himself. Since the time he was 3 months he was always afraid > of strangers. He has gotten better in that situation. I would appreciate > any information or advice from anyone! I am up nights scared to death about > what will happen when he has to go to school. I am afraid for him to get > picked on, especially because he just crumbles when he is picked on in > daycare now. I have heard alot of things that could go with TS, such as > ADHD, compulsive disorder, and anger outbursts. He has had none of these so > far, but is this what I am to expect? Please any information from people > who have experience in this would be very appreciated. > Thanks > Frantic Mom
Response:
Hi Toby, My son Braden was diagnosed at age 5 with TS. It began with chronic throat clearing, a shoulder tic, a neck twitch, and rolling his eyes. Ever since his diagnosis he has taken a low dosage of Clonodine and all is well. He is now 12 and in the 7th grade. He plays football, basketball, soccer, and track and is a straight A student. He referees soccer each Saturday and has lots of friends. A couple of weeks ago at the sports banquet he was named offensive player of the year, and he is a lineman. At first the diagnosis may seem very traumatic, as it was for us. Thank goodness we found this newsgroup the day after we visited our Pediatrician and he scheduled us for an appointment with a Neurologist…. thank God. This newsgroup got us through a really tough weekend. Things will work out in the long run. May God bless your family. Bill in Waco Braden’s Dad "Toby Place" <tpl…@rochester.rr.com> wrote in message
news:loHz8.3468$qU1.528171@typhoon.nyroc.rr.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My 3 year old (almost 4 year old) son got diagnosed with TS last week. He > has had tics since he was 2 years old. For a year the doctors kept telling > me they were normal and they would go away. Well 2 years later & they > haven’t gone away. I have no idea what to expect in the future with my son > going to school. He has always been a super intellegent child and still is. > He has always been a super shy child, with what seems like no back bone to > stick up for himself. Since the time he was 3 months he was always afraid > of strangers. He has gotten better in that situation. I would appreciate > any information or advice from anyone! I am up nights scared to death about > what will happen when he has to go to school. I am afraid for him to get > picked on, especially because he just crumbles when he is picked on in > daycare now. I have heard alot of things that could go with TS, such as > ADHD, compulsive disorder, and anger outbursts. He has had none of these so > far, but is this what I am to expect? Please any information from people > who have experience in this would be very appreciated. > Thanks > Frantic Mom
Response:
Hi Toby, I myself, have tourettes, and I’m in my late 20’s. Staying up nights won’t do much but make you exhausted, and sick, as well as less help to your son. Please try to remember that everyone’s TS is different, and it has been proven that environment has very much to do with how it manifests itself, as well as how well people are as adults. Support, confidence building, hobbies that he will enjoy, tons of *unconditional* love and things like that will help. I do not in any way mean to say there shouldn’t be rules & structure, and that just because a kid has a problem, he should get away with murder. I just know as an adult, what I believe would have helped me as a child. Also, as you might have read in my other posts, I had several other conditions with the TS, but I didn’t have the rage one. All in all, when I wasn’t physically twitching, I usually looked quite "normal" to people, and most of the hell I’ve been through, and sometimes still go through is hidden. Worrying constantly from this point on, although I’d imagine nearly impossible to help, won’t change anything. It could even make the situation worse. I’m reminded of the old serenity prayer. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change To change the things I can And the wisdom to know the difference. (I probably got that wrong You guys will definately get through this, and it will be okay, even if it’s a fight at times. He’ll endure, he’ll grow up, and it’s very possible that it may someday almost completely disappear, as it happens for so many. And in the meantime, speaking for everyone again (pretty presumptious after 1 day I suppose) we’ll be here for you. Robin "Toby Place" <tpl…@rochester.rr.com> wrote in message
news:loHz8.3468$qU1.528171@typhoon.nyroc.rr.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> My 3 year old (almost 4 year old) son got diagnosed with TS last week. He > has had tics since he was 2 years old. For a year the doctors kept telling > me they were normal and they would go away. Well 2 years later & they > haven’t gone away. I have no idea what to expect in the future with my son > going to school. He has always been a super intellegent child and still is. > He has always been a super shy child, with what seems like no back bone to > stick up for himself. Since the time he was 3 months he was always afraid > of strangers. He has gotten better in that situation. I would appreciate > any information or advice from anyone! I am up nights scared to death about > what will happen when he has to go to school. I am afraid for him to get > picked on, especially because he just crumbles when he is picked on in > daycare now. I have heard alot of things that could go with TS, such as > ADHD, compulsive disorder, and anger outbursts. He has had none of these so > far, but is this what I am to expect? Please any information from people > who have experience in this would be very appreciated. > Thanks > Frantic Mom
Response:
Hi There., From one mom with a son with Tourette’s to another, I’m sorry you got this diagnosis. My son is 12 and we’ve been in Tourette Hell for 7 years. I’d be lying if i said it’s been easy. All kids are different. If your son excels academically, then you’re ahead of the game. Elementary school has been sad for my son. He socializes in the school setting, but no one calls or rings the door bell. If he goes off on his bike, theres always the one prick in the neighborhood who says something mean like "Go away, we don’t want you here." He cries alot and i’m sure with good reason. He only wants to be part of the "group" and unfortunately they’ve shunned him. Lucky for him he has a loving family to come home to. I wish i could tell you something positive, but we’ve struggled over the years especially socially and academically. It’s had to concentrate on your school work when you’re ticcing away, you know?? And it’s really hard when you’re being laughed at. If I had it my way, I wouldn’t make him go to school at all, but unfortunately if this child is to have any chance at an independent future, he must go thru the school thing. Wish i could help. Karen
Response:
Robin,Iam the mother of a 25 year old son with all that touretts has to offer.He has ocd,adh,and many more.He is my 3rd son and a daughter following him.When Randy was at his worst,1989,my oldest son (neal)was Randys idol.Neal was killled in a fatal auto accident,on mothers day morning,1989.He was 20,Randy was 12.From that day on up until 2 years ago we were the most disfuncitional family alive.Randy was home schooled,out of school in the hospital ,and lived a real life of pure HELL.We replaced his bed room furniture more than 5 times,due to his outburst of anger.His father and I could not even sat a coffee cup down,without him holding his ears and screaming,"put it down the RIGHT way".We were not aloud to talk or move unless we wanted to listen to Randy screaming.He once told me as he got older,"every time you say those words,i hear them over and over mommy in my head.Randy refuses medication,he wont even take an asprin.Today Randy and my 29 year old son Jason,have a rock band,Randy is lead singer,Jason lead guitarest.They are in the studio with RCA records at this time!Randy quit school when he was 16.I pray he can get his ged.Please remember,DO NOT worry about things your chid may not, be able to do,concentrateand, back him on the things that he CAN do!I could tell you so much more.Check out Randys web sit,he created for the band.www.Krazyfly.com.He is the one with the dreads.I never dreamed I would see him where he is,he suffers so,when he is alone,slapping his own face,yelling "no,stop".As he once said to me about medication,THIS IS ME MOM,I like ME!!!!!please e-mail me,I have much more!DO NOT TRY TO SEE THE FUTCHER,live ONE day at a time,and do for YOU.He will need a healthy hard driven spunky mommy to be there for him.Teach him to except his ts,but to relize he is a person,not only a person dealing with ts.my love and prayers are with you,trust me you WILL make itit,BREATH…..stevescroggi…@hotmail.com,LINDA is my name!………………………………..
