"Ticks" as in habits

[PSP-n-Me]

I have a question regarding ticks in a 9 year old - he hums during mealtime, all throughout the meal - and he clicks his teeth all the time - It drives me insane, is there anything that can be done to stop it? Without humiliating the child?

[PSP-n-Me]

thank you for your kind words - yes, we try to remind him and he will stop for a few minutes, but goes right back into it again - It's weird he only does the humming at mealtime...

[PSP-n-Me]

this is not my step child, it is my biological grandson - my daughter's first born - and the humming is extremely bothersome - no one wants to eat with him that is correct - I didn't say no one will eat with him - We all hurry with our dinner and leave the table as soon as we are done...

We were told by his Pediatrician that there is nothing wrong with him, they did multiple tests...It's a habit and with time it will go away - I posted on this board asking if anyone had any ideas how to help him stop it - If you do not have any answers to that question please do not post

Thanks Beth

[RockRose]

PSP,   I'm kind of confused.  When you say no one wants to eat dinner with him - to me,  that's the evening family meal.  Where is he eating the evening family meal apart from your family where no one wants to be around him?  Sorry for sounding clueless,  I really don't get it.  

You say none of  your own children are like this.  Well, one of my own children is like this,  and I am convinced it's not  a habit he's aquired,  but rather,  a brain thing.    I swear in my biological son,  it's a brain thing.  

Please GOD,  PSP,  don't tell me that no one in your blended family will eat dinner with this child.  I swear I will jump off a cliff if I have to hear one more story about step children who aren't accepted.

[April2]

Kids will always find something to make fun in another! I know my son used to get picked on a little in elementary school. Fortunately he's out of school now and has lot's of friends and is a friendly, confident, good kid. (Can I still call him a kid when he's 19?! :)
It sounds like it's a nervous habit. Try and gently remind him that he's doing this when you see it. That might help him become more aware of what he's doing. Best of luck! :)

[PSP-n-Me]

no he doesn't drink soda and does not eat candy - my whole family are vegans and do not even have that kind of stuff in the house - I wondered about Tourettes, but I researched it a bit and it doesn't sound like that's it - I think it is just a bad habit he picked up along the way and now he can't help it - I have never had any experience with this kind of thing with my own children - It is becoming a real problem, kids in school make fun of him and no one wants to eat dinner with him...I feel bad for him but I truly do not know how to help - The Pediatrician said it will pass, but it has been well over a year now...

[April2]

My son has had facial ticks for years too. We went and had all kinds of tests run (CAT Scan, etc.). He's seen a specialist. Everything checks out normal. They say it's just facial ticks. The specialist did say that if it's not that bad to not try and put him on medication. They do have medication for Tourettes but the doc said that the side effects can be worse than it's worth taking. So, we aren't doing anything at this time.
Like you, RockRose, my son has lot's of friends and doesn't really let it bother him for the most part. I think the doc did tell him that he should cut out the caffeine but he won't. But ya know, the kid's 19 years old now, can't tell him anything! :)

[RockRose]

PSP - he doesn't drink sodas or eat much chocolate?   Honestly,  the caffeine in my son only makes a little difference,  it's not the major problem.  

Best wishes.  I used to worry that other kids would make fun of him,  but he's got a lot of nice friends and is doing fine. I think the less attention you pay to the habits the better.

[PSP-n-Me]

no he is okay healthwise, does not need any kind of meds -
he is 9 years old - he doesn't have caffeine LOL

[RockRose]

My son has a lot of tics - sometime's blinking or odd facial movements,  right now it's whistling and banging his teeth together.  

Limiting caffeine helps some in his case,  and usually he is tic-free,  they come and go.

I've decided there are way worse things than blinking whistling children!  Best wishes.

[rebbecca]

meds may help but does he have other problems adhd or anything like that?