Emmita
Female / 9 years & 7 months
At about 6 years old, E was making repetitive noises, it started with humming, then we noticed throat clearing. It eventually evolved to other repetitive sounds and phrases. Then we noticed repetitive movements, head shaking, mouth widening, rapid eye blinking. This caused us to look even further back, old photos/videos and we noticed things that were a little “odd” in the past but we didn’t exactly think of as a big deal may all have been a correlation to what we were noticing now: motor and vocal tics.
In the beginning it was frustrating (due to the pandemic) in locating which route we needed to go for her. Eventually she was screened by a psychiatrist who diagnosed her with Tourette Syndrome. From there, she continues to see a therapist, occupational therapist, & has seen a neurologist.
In order to be diagnosed with Tourette’s a child has to be exhibiting at least two motor tics (repetitive movements) and one vocal sound (repetitive sound) for more than a year. Tourette’s and the tics are usually the least of your concern as this diagnosis usually comes with a list of other mental health struggles : ADHD, OCD, Anxiety, Sensory processing difficulties. Also, Tourette’s is not what you see in the media, “constant cursing”. This is known as cropolalia. Less than 10% off people with Tourette’s suffer from this.
Below is a timeline of Emmita’s observed symptoms, diagnosed conditions, and treatments and therapies.
Ongoing Symptom
Observed at 6 years
Observed: Many times a Day
Moderate
Ongoing Symptom
Observed at 6 years
Observed: Many times a Day
Moderate
Ongoing Symptom
Observed at 6 years
Observed: Many times a Day
Moderate
Ongoing Symptom
Observed at birth
Observed: Always
Severe
Condition
Diagnosed at 6 years
Very Confident