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What Causes Persistent Tics In A Child?

Posted on Mon, 19 May 2014

Question: I have an 8 year old son who is displaying some tics and has been for some time now. Maybe about a year and a half. He has gone through several tics that seem to come on and then peak and then dissipate and another will start up. Of course I have been doing some research online and it sounds a little like tourettes syndrome. I wondering how that is typically diagnosed? Also I have heard some other parents speak of functional brain disconnect and that it is possible that TS can be corrected through Chiropractic sessions. Is that true?

Answered by Dr. Arun (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
is it only motor or vocal tic?

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for writing to health care magic.
Tics lasting more than a year like in your kid is called chronic tics.
If it is both motor and vocal then it could be Tourette syndrome.
EEG may be required to rule out seizures but there is no other specific diagnostic test.
Yes behavior therapy, sleep training and chiropractic sessions do help.
Regards
Dr Arun

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Arun (2 days later)

Would eye twitching/shaking (the eyeballs not eyelids) be considered a tic? Is it bad do him? I hey the feeling that he can control this one as he does it on command sometimes.

Answered by Dr. Arun (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
unlikely

Detailed Answer:
If he does it on command it may be a twitch not a tic.
Tics are always involuntary.
Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj