At what age can a child be diagnosed as having tourretts?

Question

our 5 year old suddenly shouts silly words, then carries on doing whatever it is he is doing, when we ask him he says he doesnt know why he does it!

Answer 1

You know your child and if you feel that this isn't right then go get it seen to...a doctor should be able to put you through to local educational pyscholoogist or Child development team who will be able to assess your child.

Answer 2

The usual age of onset of Tourette's is 7 to 8 years.  For a diagnosis of Tourette's, there would normally have to be other symptoms, eg a tic or compulsive behaviour.  Visit the Tourette's Action website for a load of useful information: -

www.tourettes-action.org.uk

Take care.

Answer 3

Hi ... One of the early signs in children is eye blinking and this can happen from a very young age , a child at my son's school was diagnosed at four she was very severe from eye blinking to arm and leg twitches, so unless your son shows other signs other than the shouting i would think there is nothing wrong  

Answer 4

I'd get him checked out as there is no real age for diagnosis, you can only go by tell tale signs and if you feel as a parent there is something wrong, then 9 times out of 10 there usually is.

Hope you get things sorted.

Answer 5

This can just be a young child thing.  You don't say what sort of silly words, are they random?  Curse words?  People's names?  Words related to what he is doing at the time?

Take him to see a phsycologist if you feel he needs to see one or simply so you know what is going on and if he doesn't have tourettes, you can set him straight on what silly words he can't say.

Good Luck

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