Hi ecmom,
Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups!
I guess the reason I would think a diagnosis would be helpful is for accommodations in school.
He should be using a computer. The dysgraphia (which my own son struggled with) alone should have the teacher talking with you and suggesting some ways to help. Instead of needing to write everything out he should be able to be doing that on a computer if that is easier for him and he definitely shouldn't be marked on the way his writing looks or how long it takes him to struggle out a page of his own writing etc.. More on this link from TSA about Dysgraphia and accommodations.
Handwriting Issues
by Kathleen J. Giordano, TSA Education Specialist
http://www.tsa-usa.org/aeduc_advoc/h...ing_issues.htm
His tics sound like tics. Some of his behavioural issues sound just as if he's a sensitive child and considering he's had a number of different health issues over the years that would be perfectly understandable I would imagine. It's great he has good friends and enjoys social activities. It might be helpful to teach him some anti-bullying techniques. Teasing is just not on and it would make anyone sensitive. If teasing is occuring in school then the school needs to address that ASAP.
If he has both motor and phonic tics and he's had them on and off for a few years then technically it could be TS. There are ways they can be addressed in the school setting as well. It's not really something that other children will ignore straight up and it really can be very helpful that the teachers and the students be educated about tic disorders.
If one was home-schooling, I would think that getting an actual diagnosis would not be so necessary, but in the school system where there are modifications and accommodations in place to assist a child to achieve their very best, then I would think that is very important, but that's just me. Back when my son was having these issues in school we had to fight so very hard just to get a few accommodations.
http://www.tsa-usa.org/aeduc_advoc/g..._at_school.htm
Getting Help at School
by Kathleen Giordano, Education Specialist, TSA
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread1872.html
The Gluten File
from
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forumdisplay.php?f=13
Gluten Sensitivity/Celiac Disease
Latitudes would have a lot of helpful information for you as well regarding Celiac Disease.