7 year old keeps making strange noises

[askandanswer99]

Hello,

For a long while now, my 6-going-on-7 year old brother continues to make weird noises that make everyone in the home upset. Sometimes it'll be clearing his throat, then it'll be a grunt, or humming, or some strange strangling noise, and strangest thing is that he can be unaware of when he's even doing it!! It's driving us crazy.. What could be going on?

[specialmom]

Right, it's likely not just something he's doing for fun.  My son has vocal tics.  It's really hard on kids who have this as they get older and are in school or around friends.  Sometimes reducing anxiety can help.  Some kids also do it to keep themselves focused as part of a nervous system issue.  But it's an impulse meaning that it is involuntary.  My son has it more when nervous or worried or excited.  If I tell him not to do it, he then gets panicky about not being able to do it.  My son's tics also change.  He has said words, he's cleared his throat, he's made humming noises, and he has some motor tics too.  We have a friend that his tic sounds like he's squealing or gasping or air.  He's made a lot of fun of which is unfortunate as he can't help it.  Kids are mean.  So, try to show your brother compassion with this and hopefully your parents will follow up and talk to his doctor about it.  

[specialmom]

Well, he could have a tic.  Tics are common for kids with neurological issues or anxiety.  It's not something to get upset about.  He genuinely may not be able to help it.  Kids with sensory issues often hum, grunt and make noises and you'll find questions about whether a child does that on all evaluations. Common.  How old are you?  What do your parents say?

[askandanswer99]

I'm 13 years old and my parents often say they will take him to the doctor's one of these days. It seems it's part of him and not just a learned behavior as we previously thought.