Up Close with Upward: Worried in the Car Line

Dear Upward, 

My child has a disruptive tic that's taking a toll on school life. Other kids make fun of them, and classmates are starting to avoid them. Teachers label them as "disruptive," even though my child feels humiliated and insists they can't control it. We're heartbroken watching their confidence crumble. What should we consider in terms of diagnosis, and what treatments can truly help? Most of all, how do we advocate for understanding so others can show them grace while they work to get better? 

--Worried in the Car Line 

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Dear Worried in the Car Line,

We commend you for tirelessly advocating for your child and understanding that their tic disorder is just that--a disorder, not a "bad" or intentional behavior. We asked Dr. Kathleen Ramsey, an expert in the treatment of pediatric tic disorders, to respond to your letter. Her response is below:

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"First of all, kudos to you for being such a wonderful advocate for your child! Tics are often misunderstood, and your child is incredibly fortunate to have you in their corner. While 10-20% of school-aged kids have transient tics at some point that go away on their own, if your child has had tics for one year or longer, it may be worth consulting with a psychologist or neurologist to determine whether they haves a tic disorder. Either medication, Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics (CBIT), or a combination of both can be effective for helping children and their families manage tics. You can check out our blog post on this topic for more info! If your child has a tic disorder, you can request a 504 Plan through his school, which can help his teachers better understand him and support him in the classroom setting. The Tourette Association of America (TAA) has an Educator's Guide on supporting children with tics at school. Additionally, the TAA has a Youth Ambassador Program, and families can request a presentation at their school to provide accurate information and teach understanding, sensitivity, and tolerance of tics to students and teachers. Sometimes kids prefer to do a "show and tell" style presentation on their own, as this makes them feel more empowered about their tics. This can help change the narrative from your child being "disruptive" to your child having a unique brain that just works a bit differently! 

Wishing you and your family all the best,

Dr. Ramsey 

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We hope Dr. Ramsey’s suggestions provide you with some actionable steps you can take as you continue advocating for your child. Please reach out to us if we can be of further assistance, or if you'd like to discuss having your child receive therapy from Dr. Ramsey.

Thank you for writing in, Worried in the Car Line. We are wishing you and your child our very best.