What are the earliest signs of Tourette's Syndrome?

Answer 1

People with Tourette syndrome display unusual behaviors over which they have very little control. They may repeatedly blink their eyes, shrug their shoulders or stamp their feet. They may echo everything someone says, or have the urge to cough or sniff continually. They might even shout obscenities.

All these odd behaviors are called tics.

Its symptoms typically begin when children are in grade school, with males outnumbering females three to one. While there is no cure, medication can reduce symptoms. Many children outgrow Tourette syndrome after adolescence.

The first symptom of Tourette syndrome is usually a facial tic, such as eye blinking.

Tics can range from mild to severe and may include grimaces, head jerking or body twisting. The individual may touch other people excessively or repeat actions obsessively. Some tics are vocal, such as grunting, coughing or barking.

In rare cases, people with Tourette syndrome may actually harm themselves by repeatedly biting their lips or cheeks, or banging their heads against hard objects.

Write for more information:
Tourette Syndrome Association, Inc.
42-40 Bell Boulevard
Bayside, NY 11361
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Visit the TSA web site at www.tsa-usa.org

http://members.tripod.com/~tourette13/

http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/tourette.html

http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9339/10894.html

Answer 2

I am 29 but was not diagnosed with TS until 21. Anyway, my family says my earliest signs were around the age of 2. I used to crawl on the floor and sniff visitor's shoes. Then the "usual" early signs started: the blinking and throat clearing.

Now as an adult I have mostly vocal tics.

Please, please, PLEASE -- if you suspect TS at all, just mention it to the pediatrician. They can tell with easy, informal tests right there in the office if further concern is warranted at whatever age the patient may be! Trust me -- nobody wants to go through 16 years of school with undiagnosed Tourette's.....

Answer 3

Motor tics (facial, body movements that are excessive and repeatable), vocal tics (coprolalia excessive swearing, now this is not cause the kid is just swearing like many think, it's an impluse that they cannot control. It's like when we know not to say something we are able to inhibit from saying it, but TS people fight trying not to think about it so much that it becomes unbearable to fight and it comes out...like an itch you have to scratch...so it's the taboo things that we keep to ourselves that for some reason try not to say or do, they try really hard but it just comes out...hard to explain. Echolalia is the repeating of words of others or a specific word). Impulsivity, problems focusing on learning...especially reading. Things have to be in order, lining up things or arranging things in a certain way...part OCD. Often TS is mixed up with OCD, ADHD...and unfortunately some children have both OCD/TS or ADHD/TS...so parents have to figure out which disorder they can deal with treat that one while leaving the other...it's really sad. Best of luck to you if you have a child with TS...get with a support group online :)

Answer 4

Put them on the spot.. When one get nervous, "ticks" get worse. especially in a fibbing stage. I am 31 and I still have minor symptoms I have not grew out of. But the twitches I get are from some hints I mentioned.

Answer 5

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