Stimming or tics

[Shirley920]

My son was recently assessed and given a pending diagnoses of possible emerging tourettes. I don't know alot about tourettes, but somehow the pending diagnoses is not sitting well with me. He is four years old, and has a number of things he does eg. hand clapping, raspberries, he make strange clicking sounds/ teeth grinding, spinning. Are these your typical tics, or stimming behaviour. I'm supposed to monitor for tics, but I have know idea what I'm looking for!

[hell1971]

From my knowledge anything that is repeated numerous times would be what you are looking for ie not a one off thing but something he repeats, also tics to my knowledge get worse when the child is stressed so look out for the same thing happening at a faster rate if he is stressed or excited. The things you have noted do sound like comon tics, if you look up tourettes then these items are listed as common tics. Your son will not be diagnosed until he has had the tics for over a year to my knowledge but again read up on it, afterall knowledge is power so to speak. My daughter is nine and has had the same motor tic for nearly 2 years plus a vocal tic for 8 months and she has still not been diagnosed but instead we have been told they think they are anxiety based. Take Care and good luck..