strange behaviour

[mich175]

My son just turned 6 years old a month ago, he has always had an issue with temper tantrums.  In the last week he has developed very strange behaviour, he started doing this twitching thing, at first we thought he had to go to the bathroom, or he wasn't wiping properly, but the twitching has gotten worse by the day, he squirms rigght from his bottom up to his neck, and he is making wierd facial expressions with it, it's the worst when he is sitting to eat dinner or watch tv, when he is playing he still does it, just not as bad, it's almost like he can't sit still, but it's more than just being wiggly, when I ask him is something is bothering him he says he doesn't like doing it but he can't stop.  Please help me, im so worried that something is seriousely wrong with my son.

[Rachel Thompson, Ph.D., BCBA]

I would certainly recommend that you seek an in-person consultation regarding this new behavior. You did not mention if your son has been diagnosed with autism. As you may know, repetitive motor movements are very common among children with autism. Often, repetitive behaviors can be treated behaviorally be keeping your child involved in appropriate activities and interrupting the repetive behavior. But I think it is a good idea to have your son seen. It is better to be cautious and to address problems at the onset.

[Sally44]

I'm not an expert, just a parent with a child on the autistic spectrum and with sensory integration disorder.
From reading your post the thing that springs to mind is tics or tourettes.  You don't say if he has a diagnosis of anything else.  If he is on the spectrum, and temper tantrums can be part of this because of their frustration and our not keeping to their rigid routines/rituals or expections; then tourettes is one of those disorders that can also occur with autism.
But to find out for sure you will need to go to your GP or your child's paediatrician and ask for an assessment.  
If it is tics or tourettes then these are usually worse if the child is anxious or stressed, so it would help to look at any ways you can reduce his stress and anxiety levels by using structured systems so that he knows what is going to happen in what order throughout the day.