{"id":4653,"date":"2015-11-23T09:47:09","date_gmt":"2015-11-23T14:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/njcts.org\/tsparents\/?p=4653"},"modified":"2021-03-21T12:20:51","modified_gmt":"2021-03-21T12:20:51","slug":"20-ways-to-reduce-tics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/njcts.org\/tsparents\/20-ways-to-reduce-tics\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Ways to Reduce Tics"},"content":{"rendered":"
As many of you know, I\u2019m all about raising a kid whose spirit outweighs a few tics. But now that my baby is, gulp, a month shy of 13, it\u2019s become apparent yet again to take a look at management. His tics are loud. I mean, so loud and startling at times that this morning I yelled, \u201cHoly Tic Man, take it down a notch!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n I get that he can\u2019t help ticking. And I\u2019m beyond happy that he\u2019s okay with his Tourettes. (I know that many of your babies are not as comfortable with them. We deal with other issues and believe me, I get the heartbreak. You have an ally in me!)<\/p>\n But here\u2019s the deal: I suffer from anxiety. I do. It\u2019s waaaaay better now than it\u2019s ever been, but here\u2019s why. I don\u2019t get to sit around all day and tell my husband through tears, \u201cOhhhh, I can\u2019t work and pay the mortgage. I\u2019m having a pity party and you\u2019re not invited.\u201d No. I take responsibility for my tendency to feel The same has become true for Stink. The time has come for him to be a bit more pro-active with his vocal outbursts. If he can\u2019t control them on his own (which apparently he can\u2019t) we get to help him. We are the parents. We make the rules.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re in that boat of wanting to suppress tics, here are some options for you.<\/p>\n BASICS (We\u2019re on all of this except the dairy. That\u2019s next.)<\/p>\n MORE ADVANCED (We have the doctor and we started the magnesium. Next is the Taurine)<\/p>\n 9. Naturopath<\/strong> \u2013 find one in your area that will take an integrative approach to tics. Ask him or her about supplements.<\/p>\n 10. Supplements<\/strong> \u2013 Ask your naturopath about Taurine, Magnesium, a good fish oil<\/p>\n SUPER INDEPTH (This is happening in January after 11. Salvia Test:<\/strong> Complete a\u00a023andme.com<\/a>\u2018s <\/em>genetic saliva test to see what his DNA has to show for itself. Once you know, your doctor can see what is working in his body and what is not and treat it more efficiently.<\/p>\n 12. Finger Stick Food Allergy<\/strong> \u2013 Get a finger stick food allergy panel by Alletess Labs.\u00a0 Cost is $120. The test kit is sent to you, you can perform it in the convenience of your home and and then ship directly to the lab. Have results sent to your doctor. Once you know what your child is allergic to, you can start eliminating offending foods.<\/p>\n BONUS OPTIONS<\/u><\/p>\n 13. GAPS:<\/strong> The GAPS diet<\/a> is very intricate, but it has stunning results. In a nutshell, it heals the stomach lining so that food no longer slips through the holes, hits the blood stream and causes brain inflammation (which can cause tics.) Personally I would not resort to this diet without knowing if your child does indeed have a leaky gut. I would work with a naturopath on this.<\/p>\n 14. Hemp Oil:<\/strong> There has been much research lately about the non-habit forming part of the pot leaf providing tremendous relief (or shall we say \u201cre-leaf\u201d for tics and twitches. Here is a link<\/a> that someone in my Twitch and Bitch provided. Her son\u2019s tics were so bad he had to miss school. They are 90% reduced now.<\/p>\n 15. CBT:<\/strong> Known as Cognitive Behavior Therapy<\/a>, this technique allows a child to transfer a loud or strong tic into one that is quieter and less obvious. It requires a certified therapist to work with your child.<\/p>\n 16. Meditation:<\/strong> Just 30 minutes of meditation per day can rewire neurons and calm down the dopamine that causes tics. Learning to breathe and center oneself can keep give your child an opportunity to have more control.<\/p>\n 17. Therapy<\/strong>: Having your child talk to a therapist can be huge in teaching them how to advocate for themselves. It\u2019s crucial (in my humble opinion) to have them see their part in everything. While they can\u2019t control tics, they can control how they advocate for themselves and how they behave toward others.<\/p>\n 18. Treat the other Conditions:<\/strong> Most kids with tics have other issues. Often times when one treats the ADHD or the OCD (or whatever else is present) the child is calmer and the tics become fewer.<\/p>\n 19. Hobbies:<\/strong> Insist on helping them find a hobby they love: Often times when a child finds something they are passionate about, the tics become less when they are focused on it.<\/p>\n 20. Love Them and Have Fun<\/strong>: That is the best tip of all. Your child might not always remember a tic free childhood, but they will hopefully remember one filled with the support of people who adored them no matter what.<\/p>\n Come back this week as I\u2019ll break down this list over the course of the next six weeks, giving more detail on each tip.<\/span><\/p>\n Until then, may God grant you the serenity to accept the tics you cannot change, change the tics you can, and have the wisdom to know the difference.<\/em><\/p>\n My book, Happily Ticked Off<\/em>, is available on Pre-Order on Amazon. Get your copy today!<\/a><\/p>\n If you would like to read more from me, please check me out on my new website, http:\/\/www.andreafrazerwrites.com<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\nmore neurotic than Willy Allen on 3 cups of Expresso<\/del> fearful at times. I:<\/p>\n\n
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Ticmas<\/del> Christmas.)<\/p>\n