Hi Lilypad
My son who is 12 was diagnosed as AS and Tourettes Syndrome when he was 9. He had almost the same 'tics'. Started with blinking, then throat clearing and grunting. We were worried about the throat clearing and were referred to an allergy specialist. We had private medical cover at that time so we saw someone quite quickly.
Blood tests showed that he was allergic to dust, pollen and cats (same as myself) and we were advised to get rid of out two cats. The problem with specialists like this is that they don't think of any possible cause outside their specialism.
Our son is high end AS and the school wanted to discuss how to keep him engaged as he was way ahead of the class. During that discussion they raised the possibility of him being AS (he was always quite quirky but we just thought it was his personality). They arranged for him to be seen at the school by local CAMHS. The confirmed the diagnosis of AS and after discussion confirmed the Tourettes. Apparently the definition of Touretts is realted to the period the tics have been occuring. If I recall correctly they stated that it was classed as Tourettes if the tics had been going on for over 3 months (maybe it was 6). They then went on to reassess him every year. The assessment was helpful but, to be honest, the doctor changed each year and little was offered in real support.
My son's journey with Tourettes has been a rollercoaster with new tics replacing old ones every few months. Some have quite been violent muscle spasms and others hardly noticeable. It helped getting the school on-side as they can help with the problem of other children not understanding and teasing. Having said that, it was only after he left junior school that he told us of poor behaviour from other children that left him in tears every day and , of course, combined with the AS made it difficult for him to cope. Certain teachers that he went to for support told him to "toughen up" and "stop being so sensitive". He never told us and I wish he had so we could have helped him.
We found that the tics were worse in the evenings as he tried to suppress them during the day and then 'released' the stored up force of them at night at home.
He is now at senior school and the tics are (fingers crossed) much more moderate. It also helps that he understands the Tourettes and can explain the tics to others. However, any stress does bring on the tics. But I would say that it does seem to get easier as they get older.
Good luck with CAMHS
Harry B
