wtrmlnlabs Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 Okay, I have been trying to figure this out and just run into walls. It suddenly came to me that I may get some help here, I don't know where else to go! SO here is my issue: DS 8 drives me insane. He's constantly, well, I call it fidgeting. He blows on or sniffs his fingers, pulls on his ears, sticks his tongue out, does this weird upper lip thing and chews his nails. He's pretty much always doing one or a combination of the above. Really there isn't a time when he's not doing this. Reading, playing, school work, watching tv, unless he's asleep, he's doing it. Oh my he's driving me batty! Other than this I'm not finding anything else that should concern me, like ADD or anything, he can concentrate just fine on things, he just has this terrible impulse. He started one day a couple years ago, blowing on his hands. We consistently told him to stop, and he moved on to sniffing his hands, and it's just progressed. If I can get him to stop one thing it'll be gone a while then he'll start again. I've tried to get him to do something else to occupy the hands, roll something around, wear silly bands and play with them, but it's not working. If I keep that no bite stuff on his nails he'll stop that. Then I quit putting the stuff on and eventually it starts again.:glare: I was just wondering if anyone has any ideas if this may be a sign of an issue or if you have any ideas on what I can do. Any input would be greatly appreciated!!:D TIA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 The difference between a regular child and a child who has SN is the SN mom comes on the board with expletives. Yes, when you're that frustrated, it's time to go get some evals. OT and a neuropsych. Have you read about ADHD yet? Could be something a bit more. In any case, the OT will give you functional ideas on how to help him chill, and the neuropsych will tell you what's going on. Also you could pursue nutrition. You might start by reading "The Out of Sync Child" and see where that gets you. You still need evals, but it would be a start. Do you have a trampoline or other physical outlets? What happens if you give him something with caffeine like pop or cocoa or tea? Get some Thinking Putty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misty Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 DS 8 drives me insane. He's constantly, well, I call it fidgeting. He blows on or sniffs his fingers, pulls on his ears, sticks his tongue out, does this weird upper lip thing and chews his nails. He's pretty much always doing one or a combination of the above. Really there isn't a time when he's not doing this. Are you sure these aren't tics? My daughter's more complex motor tics started at age 7 or 8. She was diagnosed with Tourette's. Does he make any vocal noises such as throat clearing, squeaking, sniffing, humming, etc.? Could also be what the psychs call "repetitive motor movements" or "repetitive or stereotypical behaviors", which is similar to tics, but more voluntary and often falls in the category of "stimming" (as in Autism). But this would be unlikely if you don't feel your son has other signs of an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 I wondered the same thing too, just wasn't saying it. ;) Just need to get some evals and see where it takes you. Our OT screened for spectrum disorders, and the OT seems faster to get into than the neuropsych. You're probably going to need both though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtrmlnlabs Posted September 24, 2011 Author Share Posted September 24, 2011 Ah, gives me some starts!! I just got some books on ADD because I'm pretty sure DS5 has this. Watching carefully, and I know everyone says "he's five" but I feel there is more to it than that. Other than this I haven't found anything else "off" on DS 8 so it's so puzzling to me! We do have a trampoline, he has lots of energy, never seems to tire, but no matter how much of anything he does these behaviors do not stop. He exhausts me just being around him! He does whistle a lot, says he likes to whistle and when he was learning he was so determined to learn... Pappy whistles all the time. He did recently start another really annoying noise, I can't remember what it was, he got in a lot of trouble for that one it was so bad :( so it didn't last long. I really haven't noticed any difference in him if he's had caffeine or anything. Maybe I'll have to do some experimenting! So if I have him checked or tested for these things how do you normally go about it? I mean, is it something that your family doctor usually has to refer you to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottakee Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 You mention he started this one day a few years ago. If it was a sudden thing, is there a chance it could be PANDAS---which is a strep related obsessive/compulsive thing. He could have had strep even with out the sore throat. Something to have the doctor check. I would also have them check all basic blood work--sugars, anemia, thryoid, iron level, vit D level, lipids, etc. Most likely all is fine but sometimes something is out of wack that causes these symptoms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 If there's the possibility that these are tics, please do not be hard on him about them. I've had tics since I was a child. It's embarrassing when people bring them up or ask you to stop. It's honestly not something that can be controlled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtrmlnlabs Posted September 24, 2011 Author Share Posted September 24, 2011 If there's the possibility that these are tics, please do not be hard on him about them. I've had tics since I was a child. It's embarrassing when people bring them up or ask you to stop. It's honestly not something that can be controlled. I do try to be nice about it, and not say anything in front of others. The noise thing, well, that was bad! But the others I usually just remind him to keep his hands away from his face, but so far I've been able to control myself. It's getting harder and harder though, that's why I'm seeing what could be going on. I do hate to holler at him if he can't help it. But last night he had a test for tang soo do and he wouldn't keep his hands down when they were to be at attention. Thankfully the instructor didn't say anything to him, but I'm surprised she didn't, she is rough on the kids about standing STILL at attention! This is what really made me think I need to get some opinions on it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 To see if it's more sensory related, you could try weighting him down. My ds does much, much better when strapped in his stroller, belted to the chair, wearing a pressure vest, etc. In my ds's case, I can't let him fidget/stim because it interfers with his ability to work. I've never been one to stop a stim, but I've been learning why it is needed sometimes. Extreme stimming is a sign that he needs something; nap, bathroom (he'll hold his pee), pressure, asthma issues, or food. If it's really bugging you, I'd take him for some evals. I think we, as parents, do not see how severe things may be so my thought is that if it's bugging you, it's happening a LOT. (Ex. Ds had what may have been a tic, with opening his mouth. I noticed it, but it wasn't until some random kid at the park commented, that I saw how often he was really doing it.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 I'm a fidgeter and always have been. I have a lot of excess energy and I need to move around to burn it off. I'm constantly jiggling my foot or clicking a pen or fiddling with my jewelery and most of the time I'm not even consciously aware that I'm doing it until someone else points it out to me (usually with a "Will you quit doing that!!!!!!" :lol:). The first time I heard about Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis, I had a big "AHA!" moment. When I had a desk job, I loved using a stability ball in lieu of a chair. It allowed me to get my wiggles out without annoying anyone like clicking a pen would. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtrmlnlabs Posted September 25, 2011 Author Share Posted September 25, 2011 In my ds's case, I can't let him fidget/stim because it interfers with his ability to work. Yes, it takes us much longer than it should to do anything. Part of it is because he's being stubborn, part because he's constantly pulling his ears or doing something where his hands are at his face!! I don't think it's because he "needs" anything, like food, potty, etc, because it's all the time, as long as he's awake. Again, recently having it along with his brother's chatting driving me up the wall, I've been having a breakdown the last two weeks. Really starting to think it's something more than just extra energy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Misty Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 Again, recently having it along with his brother's chatting driving me up the wall, I've been having a breakdown the last two weeks. Really starting to think it's something more than just extra energy... That's a good indicator that he probably needs some evaluations. I remember my breaking point when I finally decided my now 8yr old daughter needed evaluated. It was when she was 4 and we were trying to have family portraits made. The photographer gave up on her and said that we couldn't have our picture done. The baby was easier than she was! She wouldn't look at the camera, wouldn't keep still, wouldn't keep her hands away from her face, and *couldn't* make a proper facial expression even if we did get the first three accomplished. It was like trying to photograph a baby. A few months later she was diagnosed with severe ADHD, Asperger's, and OCD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerPoppy Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 Are you sure these aren't tics? My daughter's more complex motor tics started at age 7 or 8. She was diagnosed with Tourette's. Does he make any vocal noises such as throat clearing, squeaking, sniffing, humming, etc.? :iagree: It sounds so much like tics to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtrmlnlabs Posted September 25, 2011 Author Share Posted September 25, 2011 *sigh* sure looks like I'll be calling or family Dr. Monday and get things rolling..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterPan Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 Good, keep us posted on how it goes! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtrmlnlabs Posted September 25, 2011 Author Share Posted September 25, 2011 I plan on it... I'll be back for more advise I'm sure! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtrmlnlabs Posted October 6, 2011 Author Share Posted October 6, 2011 Just a brief update, I told no one what I was doing, not even DH. I saw our doctor and she set us up with an apmt though it's not till Nov 4th. I found it very humorous, our apmt was last Thursday, my SIL had both my boys Sat night and through Sunday. DH called to set a pick up time and she said "you really should get him checked for these ticks!" at this point I told DH I already did :001_smile:. Then yesterday he comes home and said his step mom said the same thing yesterday, maybe we should have him checked for it, it seems to be getting worse. At least I know no one will be chastising me for it! Guess I did something right for once... :D I'll update ya all after we see the specialist! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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