Motor Stereotypy | ADHD Information

Children predisposed to tourettes sydrome may get tics when on stimulant meds or then there are some children that get what is called transient tics when on stimulants which are non related to tourettes syndrome and the tics dissipate once they are taken off the stimulant.  I suggest that you see a neuroligist to rule tourettes in or out. Please let keep us informed and good luckThanks, Corrina. Very true about not being obese! Does your son get
teased at school or is he learning good coping skills? As far as I know E
didn't get teased last year in 1st grade. But, the older he gets the more it
stands out so me. I just really don't want him to get teased.

Did you notice that your sons movements increased being on meds? I'm just
trying to figure out if the increase is in my head because it is summer time
and I am with him all day or if the stimulant is making it worse. Thanks-

Just wanted to mention that our DS showed an increase in tics while on stimulants.  He does not have the kind of movement that you are talking about.  He blinks his eyes, clears his throat, wiggles his nose and sniffs his fingers.  Pediatric neurologist indicated that he meets the criteria for Tourettes Syndome.  He had a couple of episodes of Tics before meds..then it increased terribly while on Ritalin.  He is no longer on stims and the ticks have decreased..but haven't gone away.  He is on Tenex (1mg in am, 1 mg in pm) and that calms him a little bit.  Dr. tried Adderall and he was pulled after 3 days for dark thoughts, aggressive behaviors, etc.  She said no stimulants until he is 14.  She has suggested Strattera also...big battle with our insurance company at present .  But, she said that it is the last and final thing that there is to try. 

Big hugs to your little guy and family. 

 

Stimulants cause tics in my daughter.  We tried 4 different versions.  Tenex created a lot of anger and outbursts.  I am not able to use meds and have tried natural interventions with some success coupled with behavior modification.  The hardest part for me is the extreme consistency.  It is wearing.  I would just like to fly by the seat of the pants sometimes. 

Her energy is overwhelming. 

 

*Update- I did make an appt. with the neuro ped. (who diagnosed him). We
are going to discuss everything and go over the video I have been taking.
This doc and the ped. are unsure if they are true tics caused by the meds.
So for the time being I am keeping him on the adderall, especially with
school right around the corner. My son, age 7, was diagnosed with ADHD and started Adderall Xr 10 mg
back in January. It has greatly helped with his focus, attention and staying
on task.

Last week or so I increased his dose to 15. It seems like this has done
nothing. He still isn't as 'good' as when he started in January.

Ever since he was a toddler we have noticed strange bodily movements.
He would stim, hand flap, etc... It is known as complex motor stereotypy.
When he gets excited he will still run back and forth in front of the tv, do
the hand wringing or flapping. We have had two extensive evaluations
and they both said he does not have aspergers or autism. But a part of me
would not be surprised if aspergers doesn't come out eventually.

In the beginning the medication really decreased this behavior. He was
much more calm. Lately my husband and I are noticing that it has actually
increased. He wrings his hands constantly now. His speech seems to be
worse too. He talks faster, but he repeats words over and over again. He
also will do a lengthy blink now. Kind of like when searching for the right
word. It isn't a hard blink, just like a second and a half blink. He never
used to do this. So, this has me thinking that maybe these are tics of
some sort and maybe he was pre-dispositioned having the motor
stereotypy.

I'm thinking we should switch to a non-stimulant to see if this will go
away. But I'm afraid it will bring up bigger problems or just won't work. I
have an appt. with the ped. for Friday to discuss this. She mentioned
Strattera. She also said they do not sound like tics to her and that the
medication may not be causing them.

This is such a long road to go down. I went to bed with tears last night.
Anybody have a 'mover' like mine? Any advice?My son is like that - constantly pacing. It truly helps him to concentrate
when he has an outlet for his physical impulses. At school he has a wiggle
cushion (his doctor recommended he use an exercise ball instead of a seat,
and that was their compromise). He's done a lot of work on "personal space"
so that he doesn't accidentally knock into someone. In our family, it is a
definite quirk, but no one's worried about it. Just like everything else, we're
working on helping him manage himself rather than trying to get rid of it.

And the positive thing - at least you won't have to worry about obesity with
all that movement!