We have treated the allergies. This tic started last year when we had a crappy, crappy school year. DS has switched schools and is much happier over all, but the tic has stayed.

Why I worry is that my SN sibling started having this kind of tic as a kid, which expanded from throat clearing to coughing in high school, the coughing turned into incredible hacking coughs in their 20s which caused reflux and eventually a ruptured esophagus in their 30s.

My DS started tic'ing after a month or so on a stimulant medication (he has ADHD). It became so severe that we stopped the medication. Now, we only see it when his under intense stress - like trying to contain his anxiety. Like the PP, we try to help him manage his stress and exercise helps a lot.

But, I also wouldn't discount allergies. I had no idea how often I cleared my throat until it was pointed out to me. Treating the allergies pretty much eliminated it.

Anonymous wrote:My son started with throat clearing and moved on to more annoying tics at around 6 months. When he couldn't function anymore bc of the tics, we put him on Zoloft. 15 days later, no tics. After 4 years on Zoloft he has some minor tics again (he is ASD) plus he hums to himself much of the time, but they are so much less serious than they were. Since he has anxiety also, we keep him on the Zoloft for that. Not sure what the tics would be like if he went off it. Personally, not to take away from you how annoying a throat-clearing tic is, I would just say ignore it and hope it goes away. Do not draw attention to it and do what you're doing by making sure any other problem is taken care of (allergies, thirst). My son is humming right now. At least he has good pitch!

Who prescribed the zoloft? GP or psychiatrist?

We're going through this, too. We've treated for allergies for several weeks and the throat-clearing continues. I hadn't thought of humming as a tic, but we've got that, too.

I like stress-relieving ideas.

Stress is generally the underlying cause of tics.

I am not sure what makes it Tourettes or not-Tourettes. Both my son's have Tourettes (which basically a verbal tic that has lasted more than a year).

They come and go - but September is a high stress month so both my kids have tics right now.

I talk to my boys about tics sticking. For examply, if my son does not treat his allergy, he begins to sniff, then you don't know if the sniffing is from the allergy or the tic after a while.

That is why I am pretty dilligent to keep certain things like allergies quickly treated.

Exercise is a great stress reliever, magnessium is thought to also provide stress relief (but I never figured out how much) and I do give my kids vitamins and fish oil.

I also did the Feinhold diet to get my oldest son's tics under control - they were much more intrusive than my younger son's tics.

Most kids do grow out of tics. Is there anything specificially stressful right now in his life?

Does he have allergies or get colds a lot? I ask because I bet post nasal drip can contribute to that to some degree.

My son started with throat clearing and moved on to more annoying tics at around 6 months. When he couldn't function anymore bc of the tics, we put him on Zoloft. 15 days later, no tics. After 4 years on Zoloft he has some minor tics again (he is ASD) plus he hums to himself much of the time, but they are so much less serious than they were. Since he has anxiety also, we keep him on the Zoloft for that. Not sure what the tics would be like if he went off it. Personally, not to take away from you how annoying a throat-clearing tic is, I would just say ignore it and hope it goes away. Do not draw attention to it and do what you're doing by making sure any other problem is taken care of (allergies, thirst). My son is humming right now. At least he has good pitch!

SN-DC is 7 years old, non-ASD and has developed a throat clearing tic over a year ago, I think from stress. It doesn't seem to fit with a Tourettes diagnosis either. DC also has seasonal allergies; clairitin doesn't make it worse but doesn't make it better.

Has anyone successfully helped their kid over come this? Other than giving nutritional supplements, did you seek professional therapy? TIA.