This is my first time writing in with a request and hopefully someone can give me some advice or shed some light on this, I'm at a loss and very concerned! My son is 7 years old, great kid, very smart and very polite.
When he was about 3 1/2 I noticed he would do things that seemed a little out of the ordinary and each thing would last for a little while then stop. I'll give a couple examples: first, every time he would touch something new or someone would shake his hand he would immediatly smell his hand (this lasted for a year or so) then, he would feel like he couldn't let go of the door knob when we were ready to go out somewhere (this lasted about a month) then there was the time when he made a clicking noise (I'm not even sure how he did it, and you didn't ever know it was him doing it unless you were standing next to him) this lasted a month or so, then there was the slight humming noise when he would watch t.v. or focused on a book (lasted a few weeks) then during the fall, repeated fast eye blinking (a few weeks) and now...he exhals really hard and fast over and over again, it almost sounds like a cough, and sometimes he does it so many times in a row it scares me and I tell him to relax. It seemed like everytime he would stop one behavior there would be another one to follow very soon after and some would last for a short time while others stayed around longer.
I have talked to his pedi each time I notice these new things and she always says the same thing: "it is just something boys do, they have little tics here and there and as long as it doesn't interfear with his normal day to day activities he'll grow out of it." My concern was always that it was o.c.d or something else that was making him do these things, but this new thing or exhailing hard and fast (which he has been doing now for almost a year) seems to be getting worse and more consistant. I asked him if he is breathing ok and he says he is. I ask him if he knows he is doing it and he says, "yes, he just feels like he has too". I brought it up AGAIN with the doc and she says as long as he is doing well otherwise, it is best to ingnore it, as I have done with all the other things and it will go away.
The problem is, I am having a real hard time ignoring it and because asthma is in our family, I am concerned why he is breathing like he is. Also, more people are starting to notice he is doing it more and more. I talked to his teacher and she said, it doesn't seem to bother him but it is noticable to her. I also don't want him to be teased in school for something he 'can't help' and I feel helpless. It is apparent that it is bothering me way more than him. My husband wants to ignore it, but my gut is telling me something is up here.
Ok... so has anyone else ever had their child do things like this? What steps should I take? Is ingnoring it the best policy? HELP!
Listen to your gut! It's called Mom's Intuition. Absolutely and positively. I would seek a new pediatrician, or ask to see a specialist. If it turns out to be nothing for sure, then you haven't lost anything. Good luck, M..
Your son almost definately has Tourette's Syndrome. All those odd habits, and the feelings he has about them are textbook symptoms. My friend's mother and her son both have it. Her son (he is 11) does almost the same exact things your son is doing -the sniffing, blinking, turning his head. Her mother is more of the vocal side -clicking and screeching. I'm not sure what the treatments/managements are, but don't give up!
Have you spoken with your son's school? They should be able to help you determine if it is a form of autism or other behavioral disorder. My son has some tics and quirks. The doctor tried to set us up with an evaluation through Children's hospital, however the wait was a year. So I approached the school and they have monitored him. Having them involved has helped relieve some of my worry because they see him more regularly than the doctor and have practical knowledge of these disorders. When I spoke with his teachers, they noticed the behaviors I had mentioned and that they were concerned. We were able to set a timeline for him to "grow out" of them before approaching the schools. Meanwhile they helped me work with some of the behaviors. They know what it looks like in a kid, rather than just a list of symptoms. Good luck...
my advice seek a neurological visit. I have 2 autistic children. My oldest has asperger's an form of autism its low on the ASD scale and my youngest does a few of the things you mentioned. and he is mid scale autism [no syndromes, the real thing] perhaps a new pair of eyes and ears can help you. and document everything. Believe me it will benifit you to keep good records of this.
Hi Mandi,
I would bring him to a different doctor for a second opinion. If something in your gut keeps telling you something isn't right than do it if just to ease your mind.
-C.
I disagree with some of the moms here. When I was young I did some things also - like the cough. My mom and I joke about it now. It was a nervous habit. Many kids have these habits, like nail biting, twisting their hair, etc. From what you've explained it doesn't sound like anything serious to me. The behaviors are fleeting. The more attention you pay to them the worse they will get and the harder he will find to be rid of them. Perhaps he is looking for attention? If you're not already doing this, try to find some special time to spend with him and focus on positive things. To ease your mind seek another opinion and make sure these are just nervous habits.
Best of luck!
