Tourette's Syndrome

[TrogL]

My son has been diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome. Personally I disagree with the diagnosis because he doesn't have any tics but....

He cannot play computer games without talking along.

He says "damn" almost constantly (he says "damn" isn't swearing).

Is this a Tourette's thing or a 13 year old thing?

[phylny]

1. I have a thirteen year old and have worked

with a LOT of 13-year-olds, and this behavior is not what I would call typical. I worked with a middle school student who had similar things going on, and we couldn't figure out what his difficulty was until he was medically diagnosed with Tourette's. He didn't have any facial tics, but had certain repetitive behaviors that made it hard for him to do his best in school, including saying one word frequently (can't remember what it was).

Have you gotten a second opinion? I would, if you doubt the diagnosis he's been given.

I'm sure you've found this, but I thought it was directly related to your question. I've edited it for brevity, but you can find it here:

http://www.tsa-usa.org/

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10. Q. Do all people with TS have associated behaviors in addition to tics?

A. No, but many do have one or more additional problems which may include:

Obsessions

Compulsions and Ritualistic Behaviors

Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity
(ADD or ADHD)

Learning Disabilities

Difficulties with impulse control

Sleep Disorders

[mzmolly]

2. If he doesn't have tics, it's not TS. In order to qualify you need both

vocal and motor tics. Your son may have a vocal tic, but if it's not combined with motor tics ie. blinking, head jerking, finger flicking etc... then he has a "tic" not TS.

http://www.mentalhealth.com/book/p40-gtor.html

Tourette Syndrome (TS), first described by Gilles de la Tourette, can be the most debilitating tic disorder, and is characterized by multiform, frequently changing motor and phonic tics. The prevailing diagnostic criteria include onset before the age of 21; recurrent, involuntary, rapid, purposeless motor movements affecting multiple muscle groups; one or more vocal tics; variations in the intensity of the symptoms over weeks to months (waxing and waning); and a duration of more than one year.

While the criteria appear basically valid, they are not absolute. First, there have been rare cases of TS which have emerged later than age 21. Second, the concept of "involuntary" may be hard to define operationally, since some patients experience their tics as having a volitional component - a capitulation to an internal urge for motor discharge accompanied by psychological tension and anxiety. Finally, the diagnostic criteria do not adequately portray the full range of behavioral difficulties that are commonly observed in TS patients, such as attentional problems, compulsions, and obsessions.

I know your son has some related issues as well. OCD, ADHD and TS are all thought to be variations of the same genetic issue.

[FourStarDemocrat]

3. It can be a Tourette's thing....because it may be a verbal tic

My twelve and 1/2 -year old son was just diagnosed with mild-moderate Tourettes Syndrome a couple of months ago. He does not have 'classic' Tourettes syndrome, such as cursing out loud, etc.. but has a variety of mostly non verbal 'tics' such as excessive clearing of his throat, picking at his skin, at times compulsively scratching at 'itches', occasionally coming out with silly words, and humming / singing in class. These behaviors are more apt to be brought out during when he's stressed, or bored and restless.

For 3-4 years he was misdiagnosed as having OCD and was put on Zoloft, which turned out almost to be a disaster. Now he's been on a very low dose of Risperidal since late February and has shown remarkable improvements in the lessening of tics, lessing of stress and improving his sleep and overall mood. The medication took about 6 weeks to achieve full effect. My son also has ADD, but is unable to take any stimulant such as concerta for it, because they heighten his tics.

[mzmolly]

5. Just wanted to say that Tourette Syndrome does not likely involve

cursing out loud. About 30% of those with TS will have "Coprolalia" at one time, which is a swearing tic.

I think that this tic is commonly associated because it's had so much publicity?

On edit, here's a quickie link:

http://members.tripod.com/~tourette13/FAQ/01-1.html

[FourStarDemocrat]

6. Thanks for the link, it was an interesting read.

I agree with you that Coprolalia, or cursing suddenly is the most well known symptom but actually not that common in people with Tourettes.

[mzmolly]

7. I stand corrected, the number afflicted with Coprolalia is 8-30%

Are you familiar with this site?

http://tourettenowwhat.tripod.com/so_what.htm

They have a discussion board as well:

http://pub23.ezboard.com/btourettesyndromenowwhat

There is some VERY helpful info here.

Take care,
Mzm

[FourStarDemocrat]

8. Thanks, I'll bookmark those. nt

[SW FL Dem]

4. I don't have experience with Tourette's but I have a 14 yr old boy

I wouldn't call this behavior normal. My kid can play hours of video games without speaking, even when I am in his face asking questions. My son calls anything he doesn't like "stupid", "lame" or "unfair", but his responses are always to a something we said.