[senco-forum] compulsive behaviours

Dear all

These might be 'tics' rather than compulsions. Indeed a high
proportion of children (op to 50!) develop transient tics at around
this age and during puberty. This is just a symptom of the normal
neurological maturation process and is usually nothing to worry about.
Just ignore it, especially if it doesn't worry him.

Around 2% of children will go on to develop vocal or auditory tics,
including repeated coughing or tapping, that come and go over a period
of more than six months. In this case they could meet the diagnostic
criteria for Tourette Syndrome, although for most of these children
their symptoms are so mild as to not be a problem and often disappear
or reduce to insignificance as they progress into adulthood.  For a
small proportion of these children they may go on to develop full-blown
Tourette Syndrome, as I did myself when I was a school.

First and foremost the greatest problem for people with tic disorders
is overwhelmingly other people's reaction to them ...not just others
conscious up-front reactions but especially subtle unconscious
prejudices or negative feelings against people who tic. Fore this
reason people with tic disorders are especially vulnerable to bullying
and social exclusion.

There are many similarities with tics, Tourettes and OCD (Obsessive
Compulsive Disorder), but in my experience there are also subtle
differences. For example people with tic based compulsions tend to
find relief from their obsessions by the physical sensations of
touching or hearing a sound being made.

People with classic OCD (such as compulsive hand-washing) tend in my
experience to focus more on the 'concept' of being or feeling unclean.
In other words they seek 'cleanliness' rather than a repeated physical
sensation of what it feels like to be washing with soap and water.

Incidentally tics tend to be more prevalent in boys whereas girls are
more prone to obsessive compulsive behoaviour.

I hope this makes sense and if you have any more questions or concerns
you are welcome to email me (off-list if you would prefer).

David Bowles

PS: Does he have any facial tics such as repeated blinking -- these
are some of the most common tics? Also tics often to run in families
-- do either of his parents or siblings tic?

> Dear all
> Any ideas / suggestions for a Y5 boy who displays a number of low-key
> repetitive compulsive behaviours eg tapping the desk or chair several times  before
> standing, tapping the door as he goes through, on occasion touching his  food
> before putting it in his mouth, tapping the bars in the swimming pool  several
> times before climbing out etc etc.  he does not seem to have any  obvious
> obsessive thoughts or anxieties, is settled in school, bright, well liked and
> popular with staff and pupils.  When spoken to, he is aware that  he does it,
> but just says it is a habit and he can't stop.
> Are we looking for something which might not be there?  Just feel that  at
> some point his peers may pick up on his "habits" and be unkind - or should we
> refer him somewhere?
>  
> any suggestions appreciated.
>  
> Anusia

>    