HELP!!! My 17-year-old son had Tourette Syndrome onset about a year ago and hasn’t been “diagnosed”. He is miserable and confused and has stopped going to school. He has isolated himself socially and has just given up. He will not express gimself to doctors for the correct diagnosis. Can you guys show him some love????
Please, he is a great guy who has tranformed before my eyes. He feels alone and trapped and will not talk about it at all …. and me and his sister are the only ones who have encountered his tics. Thanks!
Hi!
I would love to talk to your son. I’ve had Tourette’s since I was 5. I just turned 30 yesterday. I know that might make me seem “older” and maybe out of touch, but I’m not (in my opinion!).
Let me know if he would be open to it!
Hey thx so much for your input and happy late bday!!! You can in box him on fb not sure if he will add u as a friend…he wont me. I have been trying to discuss the blog and suport with him but he wont discuss…he becomes real anxious. I have thoughy about posting his email on the teen blog hoping maybe some kids his age will reach out to him via fb msgnr. Not sure if its a good idea or not??? jacobdickinson52@yahoo.com
Thx everyone this is my first time discussing this! I have just been able to read all the posts! We need this!
It is crucial that teens with TS receive the help and support they need from their parents, but also from peers, teachers and other professionals who have influence on their lives! We will share this on our blog in hopes that more see it and more comment.
An e-mail exchange we had with Liz, the mom, yielded this response of just what kind of help she is looking for her son:
“I would love for some teens that are going thru the same thing that Jacob is going through to kind of just reach out to him he has isolated himself and has zero friends and the friends that he does have that he is seeking out are guys that are smoking weed… He is trying to escape he is in total torment. He really needs some positive input and connections before he gets off to a bad start. He is the best kid best personality he’s just a good guy and he has totally totally done a complete turn around he is a totally different child depressed talks about killing his self he takes his anger out on me and he just needs some love from people that that he can be himself around. When I try and even mention to him that something may be going on with him he is in denial he doesn’t want to talk about it he’s embarrassed and he would be very upset if I mentioned it to anyone…. But he is lonely and he is screaming for help. He has stopped going to school because he cannot control himself. He sits inside the house day in and day out all day long.”
I was trying to reply to u with that last post…
I am trying now to get the help. An sugestions on schooling ? HE MUST GO TO SCHOOL!! He refuses to go here!??
My now 21 year old son was diagnosed in the top 98% asymptomatic when he was just 7-1/2 years old. And what a journey its been. We’ve walked the twitchy, jolty, screamy, ragey walk for all these years and here we are today a complete success story. Today, my son is mainstream, in college, holds a job, has been promoted, drives a car, and lives a completely normal life. He’s still medicated and always will be, but time has been a great educator. My advice to anyone diagnosed is to first grieve for the child you thought you had. Get it out of your system. And then embrace the child before you. Be open and outright about it. Educate friends, family, neighbors and starers. Claim your stake in advocating for your child and set the pace for them to stand tall, take charge, and be who they are. If you ever want to talk, just inbox me. Susan.
Thx Susan its breaking my heart….I need to hear this knd of stuff. We need a good Dr?? He hasnt even been diagnosed as he will not openingly to the dr. The last neurologist we went to said ” if its not bothering him, then its not a problem”??.Jacob told him nothing was bothering him!! He is tormented.. I can her him now in his bed trying to sleep and cant for yelling. We need some help soon…I feel helpless aa I have to leave every morning at 7 .. with not going to school but wanting to. His future is bright but he is has given up .
Scary yes end of the world NO. What I am saying, as a mother of a 8 year old who is going through the crap of Tourette’s plus or complex as they call it. You are who YOU ARE, YOU have Tourette, but as long as you keep positive and work hard Tourette will NEVER HAVE YOU!
I have a 16 year old son that has TS. He was diagnosed when he was in 3rd grade. He currently attends High School and plays two varsity sports. He also has a girl friend. My son has be dealing with TS his entire life and he does not let it define him. He explains to those that ask about a tic that he has TS and they move on. He has discussed TS with his baseball, swim team, friends and girl friends. He even discussed it with a umpire that called a balk on him when he was pitching during a game. There are other kids that he can talk to that may be able to help him so he doesn’t feel alone.
How can we connect with those kids?
Thx so much.
It would be a great help to him to meet other kids with TS. Having TS is not the end of the world, and he needs to see that there are a lot of teens and adults living with TS who are happy and successful. All of our children have TS. Our girls, 16 and 14, have become very involved with NJCTS and it has changed their lives. They have made life-long friends and have been given many opportunities that they would otherwise not received. They love to advocate for themselves and others with TS. They are both very well accepted and respected by their peers. Our son, 11, is just now starting to become comfortable talking about it. It is often hard for teens and adolescents to take ownership of their TS, but when they do….there is no stopping them. Unfortunately, there are a lot negative comments and blogs about TS online. You have to be careful what websites you and your son visit. I would highly recommend looking into the Tim Howard leadership academy. The teens all had such a great experience last year. There are often opportunities for teens with TS to get together. You would be amazed how quickly they bond! NJCTS can help you get involved with these events. A positive attitude and great friends REALLY helps. Good luck!!
Thank you! We know NOONE and he is VERY uncomfortable talking about it. This is actually my one of my first conversations talking about it!! How do I get him connectwd..can ur kids help? He is changing so fast…in his own lonely HELL he calls it. Help.!
Thx Susan its breaking my heart….I need to hear this knd of stuff. We need a good Dr?? He hasnt even been diagnosed as he will not openingly to the dr. The last neurologist we went to said ” if its not bothering him, then its not a problem”??.Jacob told him nothing was bothering him!! He is tormented.. I can her him now in his bed trying to sleep and cant for yelling. We need some help soon…I feel helpless aa I have to leave every morning at 7 .. with not going to school but wanting to. His future is bright but he is has given up .
Thx Susan we would like to be learn more about being involved!!?