Met with the neaurologist this week. He clearly came up with the Tourette's diagnosis but said no to meds. It was amazing when he said the problem is with the teacher and not my son. If she can't learn to handle vocal tics than she should see her doctor and get some meds. What he is doing is involuntary. He even said to have the school call him directly if the school has any questions. He is already an amazing advocate. I feel better having someone on our side. Now we have something to work from. ?Still have to get into the school , but that's another battle.
Yeah for you and your son! Answers and an advocate, that's awesome.
That's awesome! Hooray for all of you.
If she can't learn to handle vocal tics than she should see her doctor and get some meds. What he is doing is involuntary.
How AWESOME! That one is going to have me smiling for days. Best of luck with dealing with the school - too bad you can't actually say that to the teacher!! Glad you are getting some answers.
It's great that you have a diagnosis! And fantastic that you have a doctor who is much more reasonable than the teacher.
I'm so pleased you have an advocate.
Great news! Go neurologist!
What a relief! I hope the school is receptive to the neurologist's recommendations.
That is awesome.:) I hope it gets a bit easier from this point on.
I have forwarded all the info to the SPED coordinator, (who long term subbed for me years ago) I spoke to her and asked her to approach the staff first with the material. I know I am too sensitive to them and they are guarded with me. This will give them time to modify and accomedate as well as reality check. also good news. We completed our Bear cub requirements and get our patch.
Update on CJ8. Saw Dr. Amend (amazing). Yes my son has tourettes and is gifted. What appears to be a stutter is really a vocal tic. After giving the origional diagnosis of tourettes there have been some dramatic changes at school. They are trying some of the accomedations from info I gave them and are doing their own research. He is getting things accomplished and showing his skills.
They were/are concerned about the independent project they are starting in the pull out program but we are going to continue to keep him in it. I talked with him about some of the things happening and he seems releaved to know its not his fault.
Trying to find out what is different for him but he says he just decided to do it.
Still may try tourettes meds for vocal stutter tic, it impedes him communicating ideas and feelings.
Dr. Amend gave me several ideas at the meeting and is keeping in contact with not only me but all the other parties as well. This may only be a positive moment that doesn't last but I'll take it. thanks for all your thoughts
I'm glad you're figuring things out! Yay! I hope the good moment lasts a long, long while for you.
I've always been intrigued by the idea of a connection between Tourettes and giftedness. Gifted kids frequently rebel against what they (rightly, more often than not) perceive as illegitimate authority or unfounded rules. Tourettes' major symptom, in my understanding, is a compulsion to break rules of one kind or another. Surely there has to be a relatively high frequency of them co-occurring...?
Alas ODD and OCD can have componets as part of Tourettes. Some of the research I read does see some connection in the two. There are also aspects of ADD. The doctor explained it a three circle venn where they all overlap into tourettes. Symptoms wax and wane out of different dimensions. What is a symptom now may disappear or be replaced by something completely different.