adhd and tourettes-help! | ADHD Information

meganP, my daughter has ADHD and she also gets tics. She does not have Tourettes, but we have struggled on and off with tic issues. I will be happy to try to answer any questions you have!

 

Some background that may be helpful;

Tourette and ADHD are very much connected but just how is not really known. As I understand the statistics, an ADHD child has a small but somewhat better chance of exhibiting Tourette symptoms than the general population. A child with Tourette has a very high chance of being dx as ADHD.  Sometimes meds such as Ritalin  can bring on tics where they were not present before and in a child with Tourette Ritalin can at times result in tics disappearing.  I don't know a lot about treating Tourette but there is a fairly new book at Guilford press on treating Tourette for practitioners. Don't know much about it but Guilford usually puts out some pretty good stuff. If you think you have the background to read on that level it migh be a good addition to your library.

This isn't much but I hope it gives you a little insight into the two disorders.

Hi Megan,

My 11 yr. old DD has TS & ADHD, as well as some sensory issues and I think some anxiety.  She was diagnosed two years ago at 9 1/2.  She is on Tenex (Guanfacine) for Tourette's and for her, it works really well.  The ADHD med's are trickier.  Concerta didn't help the ADHD and did increase her tics.  Metadate CD worked great (and no increase in tics), but only for about 5 hrs. a day and after 8 months, it has recently stopped working as well.  Just this week, we are beginning Adderall XR.

 

I'm going to provide you with a few links.  Through TSA-USA you can find the number for your state's chapter.  They can send you (free) information to give to school personel. 

Another link has lots of information about TS and the possible co-morbids.

The final link is a nice message board with lots of friendly Mom's and a few others who would be more than happy to answer any specific questions you might have and help guide you further along the path with possible school issues.  It has lots of information and links to other internet resources as well.

http://www.tsa-usa.org/

http://www.tourettesyndrome.net/

http://p071.ezboard.com/btourettessyndrome

I'll check back later to see if there's anything specific I can help you with.

Wishing you the best!

MamaBear

MamaBear39281.5745023148

Some helpful links:

http://www.tourettes-disorder.com/

And something you could print for teacher education:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/442029_2

http://www.help4adhd.org/documents/WWK5a1.pdf

Thanks DianeV.  I was unclear about arm movement.  Sounds like they have a very similar tic.  He also touches his nose/face.  Is your daughter primary inattentive?  Kyle is. 

yes she is.

She has always had co-existing anxiety. Her tics started about 3 years ago. I am not sure if they started because she was 9 and that is a commom age for tics to begin or it was the meds. When I stopped the stimulants they stopped for 2 years. Then we went back on stimulants last Nov and they started that day. Now she is off stimulants again, I am still seeing a little tic activity, but it is 100 times better. She is still on meds juts not stimulant meds.

DianeV, I am confused about tics.  Perhaps you can help.   My son (7 yrs old)  is off meds for the summer and is doing great, but he has developed what I think is a tic.  But it is not facial or vocal.  Its sort of like a big arm movement (kind of like if you were frequently pushing your hair back).  Or like swimming the backstroke.  He had something similar in kindergarten but it disappeared on its own.  He was not on meds in Kindergarten.    Would this kind of motion be considered a tic or is it a habit?  Also, isn't it unusual that this seems to surface when he is off meds?  Yet it also stopped when he was off meds.  I don't know what to think..  I would like to hear about different kinds of tics.

 

Well studies say meds do not cause tics. They do say however that anxiety can exacerbate tics and meds can increase anxiety. Possibly in your sons case when he is not on meds he feels less in control and becomes more anxious? I am obviously guessing. Motor tics can be arm movements. My daughter has had a frequent tic of scratching the back of her head then brings her hand to her face. Another is just touching her nose with her hand, another is jumpimg. She would literally be stanidng still and just jump for no reason. All tics.

Google tics and tourettes you'll get more information than you need .

This is Wikpedias descripition, one that I like:

 is a sudden, repetitive, stereotyped, nonrhythmic, involuntary movement (motor tic) or sound (phonic tic) that involves discrete groups of muscles. Tics can be invisible to the observer (e.g.; abdominal tensing or toe crunching). Movements of other movement disorders (e.g.; chorea, dystonia, myoclonus) must be distinguished from tics. Other conditions (e.g.; autism, stereotypic movement disorder) also include movements which may be confused with tics. Tics must also be distinguished from compulsions of OCD and seizure activity.

In my non professional opinion his arm movement sounds like a tic to me.

 

 

Diane V39283.346400463

The co-existing anxiety is something that only recently concerned me.  My son is very happy go lucky, but lately he seems completely unable to make the simplest decisions for himself.  For instance he will ask me which toy do I think he should bring to bed or camp.  My response is that it is completely up to him.  He gets very flustered and tells me that he can't choose and begs me to tell him what I would do.  He is very grateful and relieved when I make the choice for him, but I really think he should be able to make such simple decisions for himself.  I will have to observe this behavior when he is back on meds.  Makes me very sad to see such little things getting him stressed.  Yet he is very laid back and comfortable with himself socially and otherwise. 

why did you take him off meds? Summer break? Just curious as I do not do a med break.

I wanted  him to catch up on his weight gain, and since he has no social issues I saw no reason not to.  He's up about 3/4 pounds so I am happy with that.  I think that its important to observe without meds for an extended period to kind of see where we stand.  I plan to get him back on a week or two before school starts. 

Thank you for the response!!  The links and everything are great.  I really appreciate it. 

My son is being treated at the U of Iowa-Child Psych. department.  They said that the felt he has ADHD and TS.  The tics didn't really start until last year with his first adhd prescription (Adderall).  The other thing is that my 18 year old brother has TS and I know it runs in families.  But to me, I really don't notice it that much in my son.  Maybe because I'm so use to him moving all the time anyway and can't tell the difference between tics and him constantly moving.  But the adhd I do see in him, and at school it was a big issue for him both academicly and socially.

With school coming up again, I want to request a 504 plan for him, I just need to do the research so I can educate his teacher.  I have been so lucky so far with his school (great teachers, supportive counselor,principal and social worker).  They have actually gone above and beyond to figure out what helps him the most.  I just think that the time has come to put it all in writing. 

Anyway--thanks again!  I don't feel so alone in this anymore.

My daughter has pretty much only suffered from tics while on stimulants, so keep that in the back of your mind when deciding on meds. Some increase tics more than otheres, every child is different, although I do believe the Adderall "family" is supposed to be worse for that (not for us though).

ABSOLUTELY get everything in writing. Staff changes, people move, if for any reason you had to move you want all his accomodations in writing.

Good Luck!

Oh I hear you. My daughter has gained about 6 pounds since I stopped stimulants in June. It was one of the reasons we switched off stimulants.

My 8 yr. old son has been diagnosed with adhd and tourettes.  I'm just wondering if there is anyone out there in a similar situation.  I haven't really told him much about why he has to take meds, other than that it is to help him focus and pay attention.  I don't even know where to start with questions.  Help!!

-Megan p.

I would ask the psychologist to explain it to your child if you have one.
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Hi MeganP,

I have read other posts with both ADHD and tourettes. In fact in my town the Class President of the Hight School has both ADHD and tourettes, he is such a great person!!

I wish I had some information to help you with regarding this but I do not.

I am wondering in regards to school if your son will need special accomodations. My son has an IEP which helps him during testing. He also has sensory integration and speech delay. So he receives services. My son is also on medication and 10 years old. He is on Concerta and guanfacine like your son.

School has been a struggle for us more on the social side and until teachers get to know him, if the TEACHER cares to. 

Believe me I can relate to schol issues! Have you tried a 504 plan or IEP yet?

Beth

I guess I should have clarified myself...He is fine with the knowledge he has.  He always asks questions if he has any. 

What I mean is that I need to know more about what adhd + tourettes is like and I don't know where to start.  What do I tell his teachers when I don't know myself.  School is such a struggle.  I guess I'm looking for parents who are going through this that I can bounce questions off of.