My beautiful granddaughter age 6 started having tics (more pronounced) in the middle of her kindergarten school year. I found this site almost immediately and read as much as I could. We completely changed Ellen's diet. We removed all preservtives, nitrates, caffine, aspartmne(sp)l, even dairy and wheat for a spell. She calmed down beautifully. That seemed to do the trick for awhile and we still feel that the above additives do trigger the tics. However, we finally had a neurologist check her over and she has confirmed our fear that Ellen does in fact have Touretts. She begins the school year in a couple of weeks and our worst fear is that she's treated differently, or teased. I read the pdf report on going to school and it scared me even more. Ellen has great motor skills, and good reading and math skills. The tics have not interferred with her day to day happiness--yet. Will her tics get worse? Right now she has some jerking (head nods), humming, yawns, eye blinks and hopping). Sometimes more pronounced then other times. Took her to the fair and going on the rides and the excitment really reved her up. But otherwise, pretty mild in quiter settings.
Thank you moderators and everyone who contributes any and all helpful information. It has made it all easier somewhat. Thank you.

glad you joined us...welcome. Here is the link to the TS forum.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forumdisplay.php?f=25

Honestly it could get worse, but the other thing is that you have to prepare her for the world the way it is.

And you also have to prepare the other kids for what she does or what can happen. If you help them to understand that she can't help it and she is normal but has this disorder that she can't help it. Then they will be more understanding.

Its a thing that she has to learn to live through.

Also please come post in child health.

Donna

and here is the link for child health nana....

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forumdisplay.php?f=9

Welcome aboard Nanasansan!!! We are glad that you have joined our wonderful community!!

welcome to NeuroTalk nanasansan

I look forward to also seeing you on our TS forum

Both my husband and my youngest son (now 17yo) have Tourette Syndrome

If I can encourage you in any way it would be to not be despondent over this but rather start to focus on all the positive things you can do to help her.

I know how deeply despondent I was 7 years ago when my son was dx with TS....but someone wisely reminded me to stay focussed on the light at the end of the tunnel rather than to get lost in the darkness......and how thankful I am that the light has just kept getting brighter.

I hope you will visit us on the TS forum here so that we can get to know each other and share more

Cheri

Hi, Nana!

Welcome to NeuroTalk!

It's nice to see that Ellen has a proactive advocate in you. Kudos!