DS about to start school with quite bad tic. Any advice please?

[loaderloader]

I'm so sad for DS at the moment. Its a stressful time in our family and he has developed a very noticeable vocal tic. About a year ago he had a blinking tic. This is much worse. On a few days it has literally been constant, barely a second's gap between noise.

Adults are looking at him when we're out. Children seem to notice less but a few glances. I'm worried about school. In particular I am unsure what to tell DS. We've been ignoring it but I feel I need to prepare him in case other children comment. He's very sensitive. He's 4 and just about to start reception.

Any advice or experience shared would be very welcome.

[LarrytheCucumber]

My DS has vocal tics which come and go (he's 19 now and still finds he tics in times of stress). He had a terrible time at Junior School with one teacher shouting at him for making 'silly noises' which of course made them worse. I would hope your son will fare better.
Infant teachers, especially in reception, tend to be a lot more understanding.
Some teachers will, with your permission, explain to the other children that his tics are something he can't help and that they should ignore them. Younger children can be very accepting of differences. It tends to become more of a problem as they get older, but I would not look too far into the future if I were you.
Have you spoken to his teacher about it?
I am not sure what you mean about what you should tell DS. Is it part of a wider problem? Our DS has AS, but it wasn't diagnosed until he was 12.

[loaderloader]

We've been ignoring them and he doesn't seem to be aware he's even doing it. I guess I just meant should we make him more aware and give him a line should any children make fun or ask why he's making noises.

How awful re shouting. Hopefully schools are more clued up these days.

I'm feeling less worried today. We had had some unhelpful comments from grandparents so was quite stressed before, though trying hard to be relaxed with DS.

His teacher is due to visit us at home tomorrow (visits all families) so will talk to her then.

Thanks for replying.

[LarrytheCucumber]

Hope the meeting with teacher goes well.

[hiccupgirl]

My DS also 4 has a tic that comes go depending on how stressed or tired he is - his is a whooping noise when he breathes in and he also does a repeated breathing phrase over and over. We have been ignoring it recently and it does seem to have improved a bit. He is a very sensitive thoughtful little boy who gets very stressed out about things.

I'm going to let his teacher know when she visits next week and ask her to tell us if it's becoming difficult to manage at school. His GP will refer him on if the tic starts affecting him educationally.